ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Auburn assistant coach Steven Pearl said everyone inside the Tigers' basketball program was caught off guard when center Narcisse Ngoy was selected in last week's NBA Draft.
Ngoy, who will suit up for Auburn this season after playing professionally in France, was taken with the No. 57 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers despite not declaring for the draft. Because he will turn 22 before next season, Ngoy was automatically eligible to be selected.
"I was sitting on the couch watching the draft, and I can't tell you what I said," Pearl said Wednesday during an Auburn alumni event in Alexander City.
The surprise didn't last long.
Pearl said Ngoy's agent contacted Auburn shortly after the selection to reaffirm the 6-foot-11 center's plans to play for the Tigers. The following morning, Ngoy publicly confirmed his commitment to Auburn on social media.
According to Pearl, the Clippers also reached out to Auburn after the draft.
"We talked to some of the front office folks on the back end, and they called and kind of apologized for throwing this on us," Pearl said. "This is the first time that's ever happened. It wasn't an intentional draft-and-stash. It wasn't something that us and the Clippers colluded together. It was just something that kind of happened. We just had to take it in stride."
Ngoy arrived on campus Tuesday, becoming the final newcomer to join Auburn's roster for the 2026-27 season.
His selection by the Clippers only reinforced what Auburn's coaching staff already believed about his potential.
"It's a testament to him and how he finished out his season," Pearl said. "The second half of his season, he played phenomenally well. They went on a run in the playoffs that no one was expecting to get all the way to the finals. He showed a lot of potential and a lot of upside in his play."
Ngoy spent the past five seasons playing professionally in France and was named the French Elite 2 league's Most Valuable Player after averaging 10.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while leading his club to the league finals.
He is expected to play a key role in Auburn's rebuilt frontcourt alongside Santa Clara transfer Bukky Oboye and former Creighton standout Owen Freeman as the Tigers replace much of last season's interior production.
