Former Kentucky center Ugonna Onyenso back in the transfer portal

Ugonna Onyenso is searching for his third school in four years.

On3’s Joe Tipton reported Monday morning that Onyenso is entering his name into the transfer portal. After beginning his college career at Kentucky for two seasons (2022-24), the seven-footer bounced to Kansas State last offseason following the departure of head coach John Calipari to Arkansas. In his lone season at Kansas State, Onyenso averaged 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11 minutes per contest on 70 percent shooting.

Onyenso will have one year of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

NEWS: Kansas State big man Ugonna Onyenso is entering the transfer portal, source told @on3sports. ⁰⁰The 7-0 junior began his career at Kentucky. https://t.co/l1bIY07yWh pic.twitter.com/TUWjDpYYPr

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 14, 2025

Playing high school ball out of Putnam Science Academy (CT), Onyenso reclassified up to 2022 upon signing with Kentucky. A native of Nigeria, he chose the Wildcats over the likes of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas. He was considered a top 30 recruit in his class by the On3 Industry Ranking.

Onyenso showed plenty of flashes during his two seasons in Lexington but could not put it together consistently. Across 16 games played as a freshman in 2022-23, he averaged 2.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and one block in just 6.9 minutes per contest on 52.9 percent shooting. His role increased as a sophomore in 2023-24: 3.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 18.8 minutes per outing. He started 14 of 24 games played while shooting 55 percent from the field.

Despite missing nine games that season due to injury, he recorded a stat line of 13 points, 16 rebounds, and eight blocks in an overtime loss to Florida. A few games later, he posted eight points and 10 blocks (which tied a Rupp Arena record) in a win against Ole Miss. His 48 blocks in SEC play led the entire conference. Onyenso ended up putting his name in the 2024 NBA Draft pool before ultimately returning to college and transferring to Kansas State.

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