Ugonna Onyenso enters transfer portal after declaring for NBA Draft last week
Ugonna Onyenso is now exploring ALL of his options. According to multiple reports, the former Kentucky center is entering the transfer portal after two seasons in Lexington. On April 15, Onyenso declared for the NBA Draft and hired an agent, telling ESPN that he was not considering a return to college basketball. That appears to no longer be the case.
“I’m ready to go to the next level,” Onyenso told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony last week. “I’m not thinking about coming back to play college basketball. I’m 100% focused on the NBA.”
Onyenso started 14 games for Kentucky last season, averaging 3.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 19 minutes per contest. Over two seasons in Lexington, he averaged 3.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
It’s unclear whether a return to Kentucky is on the table, or if Onyenso will consider following John Calipari to Arkansas or Orlando Antigua to Illinois. He did tell ESPN earlier this month that he spoke with Mark Pope on the phone before deciding to declare for the draft.
Onyenso was ranked No. 47 on ESPN’s Top 100 draft prospects list. After declaring for the draft and signing with an agent, he was eligible to receive feedback from teams, who may have recommended he return to school for another year.
“I want the NBA to know that I am a big that can shoot the ball,” he said last week. “I am not just a defensive player. It’s not only about blocking shots with me. I did what I needed to do to help the team, but I don’t think anyone saw what I am capable of doing. I am excited to show people that. My ability to shoot, put the ball on the floor and create for myself. My goal is to get better these next couple of months, and be confident in everything I need to do in this process.”
UPDATE (1:07 PM ET): Ugo is already hearing from familiar names, according to Jamie Shaw.
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