WATCH: Kentucky's Ugonna Onyenso shows out in offseason workouts

We already know Ugonna Onyenso looks the part entering his sophomore year after one season with Kentucky’s strength and conditioning program. He’s up to 234 pounds from 222 when he first arrived, body fat down to 7.6 percent from 11 percent and his vertical is up to 34 inches from 29.

An updated look from UK S&C coach Brady Welsh tells the story:

But what about his game? That’s coming along, as well, specifically on the offensive end of the floor. The rising sophomore posted his highlights from an offseason workout, and admittedly, it’s hard not to be excited about the near-seven-footer’s future in Lexington.

Come for his five straight made 3-pointers, stay for his improved ball handling and post work. Oh yeah, and that’s not even accounting for his natural gifts as a dynamic shot-blocker.

I’d keep trying till I get it 💯 pic.twitter.com/3XWSDydxDB
— Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso (@OnyensoUgonna) May 10, 2023

Not too shabby.

Onyenso’s defensive instincts have always been there, though he was mostly limited to putbacks and lob finishes offensively when he first arrived on campus. His footwork, fluidity, jump shot, handling and passing was always a step away from being a step away.

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

It was part of the reason why playing time was so difficult to come by down the stretch, with the freshman center playing just 18 total minutes during SEC and postseason, 11 coming in one game (at Alabama). He earned some early run, playing 20 minutes vs. Howard, 19 vs. Duquesne, 22 vs. South Carolina State and 18 vs. North Florida, but very rarely saw the floor to close out the year, averaging just 6.9 minutes per contest in year one.

The native of Owerri, Nigeria finished the year averaging 2.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game as the last scholarship player off the bench for the Wildcats. Confidence remained strong from his head coach, though, that he’d make a significant impact for Kentucky sooner rather than later.

“At the end of the day, my guess is he’ll be the best big guy, if not one of the best big guys in the country next year,” John Calipari said of Onyenso leading up to the NCAA Tournament.

“I absolutely think (Onyenso’s) going to end up being special. I do,” he later added.

He’s clearly trending in the right direction.