Another accolade for the talented Georgia Tech forward
Baye Ndongo has earned preseason honors for the second straight year, landing a spot on the All-ACC Second Team — further cementing his status as one of Georgia Tech’s most impactful players in recent seasons. The standout forward has been a cornerstone for the Yellow Jackets, continuing to elevate his game each year.
This season could very well be Ndongo’s last in a Georgia Tech uniform if he performs to his potential and takes command of the ACC. Last year, he posted averages of 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting an efficient 53.6% from the field — ranking No. 52 nationally. He also showed growth from beyond the arc, improving his three-point percentage from 33.3% to 36.8%. After raising his scoring average from 12.4 as a freshman to 13.4 as a sophomore, the next step for Ndongo is to fully capitalize on the prime opportunity ahead of him this season.
Playing The Four Instead Of The Five
A key storyline for Baye Ndongo this season will be his transition to playing more at the power forward spot — his natural position. In previous years, Ndongo was often forced to play center out of necessity, a role he handled well but one that didn’t fully align with his strengths. The addition of former Missouri big man Peyton Marshall and freshman Mouhammed Sylla should allow Ndongo to settle into the four and thrive.
Head coach Damon Stoudamire acknowledged that the adjustment will come with growing pains but believes it’s the right move for Ndongo’s continued growth.
“I’ve told the staff there are some things we’ll have to get comfortable with,” Stoudamire said. “Sometimes the spacing won’t be ideal because we’ll be playing a lot of two-big lineups. But the biggest thing is that Baye won’t be at the five anymore. Having him primarily at the four, except in small-ball situations, should help him a lot. The past couple of years, he didn’t have many guys who could take that pressure off him — it was either he got the rebound, or we didn’t.”
Stoudamire also praised Ndongo’s ability to battle through double- and triple-teams last season, noting that playing power forward will open up his game and challenge him to defend more on the perimeter — an important step as he prepares for his career beyond Georgia Tech.
This positional shift should also help Ndongo stay fresher deeper into games, as he won’t have to shoulder as heavy a load as last season when the team dealt with multiple injuries. With improved depth and the presence of Marshall and Sylla in the frontcourt, Ndongo is poised to anchor Georgia Tech’s success. His development as a junior could very well determine how far the Yellow Jackets go this year.
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