By Monica Iheakam
Imo State born Kingsley Onyenso has signed up with Kentucky men’s basketball programme and will reclassify to join the 2022-23 roster.
The imposing frontcourt player in the 2023 class is joining the likes of Chris Livingston, Adou Thiero and Cason Wallace as the fourth first-year player to sign with the Wildcats for the upcoming season.
The NBA Academy in Africa youngster was one of the youngest players ever to make the senior men’s Nigerian national team. He made his debut with the team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers in November of 2021.
UK head coach, John Calipari is already waxing lyrical about the Nigerian who spent this past season at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, the same programme that former Wildcat Hamidou Diallo hailed from. “What excited me most about Ugonna is he wanted to not only be here but wanted to be here to train with us and learn from guys like Oscar Tshiebwe and Lance Ware immediately and help us chase a national title,” UK head coach John Calipari said.
“Ugonna has unbelievable natural athleticism and great instincts for a young player. He is going to be able to defend at the rim and is a terrific finisher.
The staff and I are excited to help push him everyday in a competitive and focused environment as he continues to improve and become the best version of himself both on and off the floor.”
“I am proud to join the Kentucky basketball family and I can’t wait to help work for a national championship,” Onyenso said.
“I’m so comfortable with Coach Cal and the staff and I know they will help me reach my goals as long as I work hard and come to play every day.
“I am excited for their positionless style of play and I know I’m going to continue to get better because I’ll be pushed everyday in practice with players who have the same drive that I do. I can’t wait to get to campus in August and get started.”
Onyenso joined Putnam in January and the squad was a perfect 20-0 with Onyenso on the roster. He averaged 11.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.7 blocks per game.
He shot 64.4% from the floor and had five games with at least 10 blocked shots. The highlight of his season was a 24-point, 11-rebound and 11-block triple-double.