NCAA Basketball: 3x MAAC Defensive POY KC Ndefo enters transfer portal
By Shea Irish
A look into Ndefo’s illustrious career in Jersey City
Ndefo has had one of the most prominent careers in MAAC history, becoming a 3x Defensive Player of the Year in the conference. Playing for the small Jersey City school, he finally received the national attention he deserved during the Peacocks’ 2022 NCAA Tournament run.
Coming out of high school, Saint Peter’s was the only team to offer Ndefo a scholarship. It’s safe to say the recruitment for the MAAC star will be vastly different this time around after the spotlight surrounding the team’s Cinderella Elite Eight appearance.
Ndefo has proven he can protect the rim at a rate among the top shot blockers in the nation. He finished last season ranked top ten in the country with an insane 12.7% block rate. His superior athleticism, long arms, and instinctive timing to block shots make him a nightmare to challenge in the paint. Just ask the Quinnipiac Bobcats, who had 11 shots blocked by Ndefo in a February matchup. No, that is not a typo, he really did block 11 shots in a single game.
He has the quickness to chase down opponents in the open court, as well as the talent to come over from the help side and absolutely erase what seem to be easy layups. At 6’7″, he also possesses the rare lateral ability to switch on ball screens and defend guards; making him not only the best defender in the MAAC but one of the best defenders in all of college basketball. Seeing someone win the Defensive POY award for three years in a row in any conference is almost unheard of.
The star forward averaged 10.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.8 BPG, and 1.3 SPG during the Peacocks’ dream season. His best game in the tournament came in the Round of 32 win over Murray State, dominating play with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks. He also blocked six shots in the Elite Eight matchup with UNC.
The 2020-21 season might have been his best, averaging a career-high 13.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 3.6 BPG. Regardless of where he ends up next season, one thing is certain; life will be miserable in the low post for the opposition.