According to Adam Finkelstein, Director of Scouting at 247Sports, North Carolina and Louisville are “top options” for Kentucky big man Ugonna Onyenso on the transfer portal. Onyenso, the second-best center in the transfer portal, is testing the waters of the NBA Draft, although he is expected to make more in college basketball next season.
“When Ugonna Onyenso declared for the draft, most people thought that decision was a little premature,” Finkelstein stated. “Now, it appears that his earning potential will be far higher in college basketball. North Carolina still requires a big. They have been searching for an Armando Bacot replacement but have yet to find one. They are regarded among his best alternatives.”
Pat Kelsey, the new head coach at Louisville, has been active in the transfer portal since assuming the job and is eager to add a great rim protector to the roster, according to Finkelstein. Alabama was also in the running, but now isn’t considered a threat after signing Rutgers’ Cliff Omoruyi.
“Louisville is another program that is considered among his top options,” Finkelstein stated. “We’ve seen Pat Kelsey make some important judgments. He and the Cardinals still need rim protectors. Alabama was in the mix, but given that they have already signed Cliff Omoruyi, I am confident it is no longer an option. Keep a look out for Onyenso in the future in North Carolina and Louisville.”
This offseason, Onyenso is ranked as the transfer portal’s No. 180 overall prospect and No. 29 center. He’s the second-best center available, trailing Florida State’s Baba Miller. As a sophomore last season, the 7-footer averaged 3.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field and 58.8% from the foul line. In 2023-24, Onyenso was one of college basketball’s top shot blockers. His 2.75 block per game average was fifth in Kentucky history and tied for third in Division I.
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“Hopefully I get to stay in the league because of the feedback I get,” Onyenso stated this week. “This is a learning experience for me. If things go well, I will stay. If they don’t, I’ll return to school and improve. I will stay if I receive positive feedback. I’m not talking to any schools right now. I’ll let my uncle handle that for me. For the time being, I am committed to this process and will devote my full attention to it. They aren’t talking to me. They’re talking with my uncle.”
Onyenso missed Kentucky’s first eight regular-season games due to a fractured foot before making his season debut against UNC in the CBS Sports Classic. He played 10 minutes off the bench, recording one point, one rebound, one assist, and three blocks. Following a six-point, four-rebound, three-block effort at Arkansas on January 27, John Calipari promoted Onyenso to the starting center position for the rest of the season.
In his first career start, Onyenso recorded career highs of 13 points and 16 rebounds while also blocking eight shots in an overtime defeat against Florida. Two weeks later, he set a Kentucky-Rupp Arena record with ten blocks in a victory over Ole Miss.
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