NCAA Basketball: Breaking down top options for 2022 C Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso
Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso recently de-committed and will play this upcoming NCAA Basketball season. Which teams are currently in play?
After GG Jackson made his decision to join South Carolina, that leaves one NCAA Basketball class of 2022 five-star prospect without a team. And that’s Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso, who recently reclassified from the 2023 class and plays for national powerhouse Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.
Kingsley Onyenso is a 6’11 and 200-pound big man that is a true center. His ability as an interior defender makes him a true star prospect long-term and can elite shot-blocking skills as well. He has the athlectism and motor to be an impactful frontcourt and game if his offensive game continues to improve, really could become a legit NBA prospect as well.
After moving up to the 2022 class, Kingsley Onyenso is set to play next season for one of several contenders. In the past couple of weeks, there are three programs (Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State) that the big man has visited and are clearly the finalists.
If you’ve paid attention, the Kentucky Wildcats are a big favorite ahead of a looming decision. But are they the best option? Here’s a look at each situation for Kingsley Onyenso while he decides.
Kentucky Wildcats
National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe is back for one more year but it’s likely that he won’t be back for 2023-24. And unless Daimion Collins breaks out, the Wildcats will be in need for another center in the short term. Kingsley Onyenso could compete for 10 mpg as a backup next season and while he isn’t the offensive and rebounding threat that Tshiebwe is, could provide needed inside defense on the roster. And a year from now can take over as the starting center for Kentucky.
Oklahoma Sooners
The starting center for the Sooners next season is Tanner Groves, a double-digit scorer and offensive threat. He’s around for just one more year, leaving freshman transfer Yaya Keita and newcomer Luke Northweather in the frontcourt. Kingsley Onyenso is the complete opposite of Groves but is a massive defensive upgrade and has a higher overall ceiling. Head coach Porter Moser needs five-star level talent to compete in the Big 12 and this recruit would be a nice building block. And Oklahoma also would be the best spot for immediate minutes out the gate.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys have Moussa Cissé, who is a nice comparison to Kingsley Onyenso. He’s a solid defender but doesn’t give much offensively. He plays 20 mpg so this recruit could easily come in and get 20 more mpg as a freshman and could have an ever higher ceiling than Cisse long-term.
Next. Top 25 team backcourts for 2022-23. dark
The difference here is that the big man still has three years left of eligibility and could block Kingsley Onyenso from making the starting lineup sooner than later. They also are the program that has the least history of winning. Can either start of Oklahoma program pull off the recruiting steal? It’s hard to see Kentucky losing this but maybe an 11th hour change of heart could sway things.