Ugonna Kingsley will reclassify to 2022, commitment coming soon
Could Kentucky add another piece to its 2022-23 roster before the team’s trip to the Bahamas in August? Five-star center Ugonna Kingsley is now officially an option.
Following his official visit to Lexington this week, the 6-foot-11 shot-blocking talent has decided to reclassify to the class of 2022, with a college commitment right around the corner. He is currently scheduled to visit Oklahoma starting July 24, with a decision set to come after.
It’s a move that’s been rumored (and expected) for weeks now, specifically following John Calipari’s decision to host Kingsley on his official visit in Lexington to open the NCAA live period on Wednesday. Calipari and associate head coach Orlando Antigua stayed back looking to close on a commitment, sacrificing valuable in-person evaluation time at the Nike Peach Jam.
Clearly an important visit for both sides.
What would his expectations be from day one at Kentucky? Minimal. The goal would be to bring Kingsley in and develop as a redshirt under Oscar Tshiebwe, college basketball’s reigning National Player of the Year. Though elite defensively — as a shot-blocker, especially — the five-star center is raw offensively and would need to spend time working with Kentucky’s strength and conditioning program. It’s a long-term plan that appeals to the native of Nigeria.
Kingsley previously took an official visit to Oklahoma State, with his trip to Oklahoma still on the schedule (as of now) starting July 24. He also holds offers from Kansas, Georgetown, Syracuse, Connecticut, Illinois, Memphis, Maryland, Texas Tech and Providence, among others.
It’s Kentucky, though, that has long been seen as the favorite to land him.
“I’ve been wanting to go to Kentucky all my life, even before coming to the states,” Kingsley told On3 in June. “I don’t really know much about the school yet, but I know it is a good program for athletes, a lot of their guys are pros. I know Oscar Tshiebwe is also from (Africa), it means a lot he has had great success there.”
As a player, Kingsley’s value is clear. He takes pride on defense, an aspect of his game he feels separates him from his peers at the high school level.
“What I do best is blocking shots and getting rebounds, and at first, I thought it was just because I’m tall,” Kingsley told KSR in June. “Then I noticed the other tall players in my class, they don’t do what I’m doing. I know I’m the best defender in the country, I’m a great shot-blocker. …
“My game is mostly helping my team defensively. That’s what I do best, playing good defense and protecting the rim. My offense is evolving — I know that for sure — but when I’m on my court, what I do best is help my team by playing great defense.”
He’s working to develop offensively, specifically as a shooter.
“My offensive part of the game, shooting (is what I’m working on most),” he told KSR. “I know I’m a great shooter, I just need consistency with my shot. I’m always working on my shooting so I can stretch the floor, always working on my offense.”
What is Kingsley looking for in a college?
“I am going to look closely at how the coaches interact with the players,” Kingsley told On3. “If the coach has a good relationship with his players it is going to help you out mentally. Someone like me, coming from Africa, a player and coach relationship is big for me.”
We’ll find out if that college is Kentucky — and it’ll happen shortly.
Come on down.
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