ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi knows Kingsley Onyenso needs time to develop but could also help this year

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Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is an elite shot blocker who ESPN scouting director Paul Biancardi thinks can help Kentucky this season. (UK Athletics Photo)

ESPN national scouting director Paul Biancardi saw recent UK signee Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso, a five-star prospect, play twice recently in major showcase events and liked what the 6-11, 225-pound center can do.

“He is freakishly long. He is close to 7-feet with a 7-6 wingspan,” Biancardi said. “He shrinks the floor defensively. He makes it hard for his man to score and for anyone else to score at the rim.”

He was originally in the 2023 recruiting class but reclassified after coming to the United States from Nigeria in January. He played at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut and averaged 11.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.7 blocked shots per game (he had five games with at least 10 blocks). He also shot 64 percent from the field.

Biancardi says Onyenso is an “exceptional” runner who can convert from offense to defense in an instant.

“He can finish inside and has a really nice face-up game. His footwork is advanced for his age and size,” Biancardi said. “He is a guy you can do a lot with. He brings so much that you really can’t coach. John (Calipari) just has to refine some of his skills.”

Biancardi knows Kentucky returns Oscar Tshiebwe and also has Lance Ware, Daimion Collins and Jacob Toppin back. Still, he thinks Onyenso can help this season despite speculation that he might be content with a redshirt year.

“Big guys have to learn to play without fouling in college against smarter, stronger guys. A lot of bigs do not get taught proper angles and adjustments,” Biancardi said. “He can help right away but there is a lot to develop. He can really use coaching and practice time.”

Kentucky Sports Radio basketball writer Jack Pilgrim says the redshirt speculation is because there is no “rush” to play him with Tshiebwe on the roster.

“He is raw offensively and can take his time and develop under Oscar,” Pilgrim said. “But you will not find a better shot blocker in high school basketball than him. He’s really good.”

2 Responses

  1. What is the point in redshirt he won’t stay 4 years anyway.If Oscar gets hurt ky in trouble.This guy could play 2nd half when outcome is obvious blowout.
    Forget about sitting on the bench let him get use to the speed of college bb.

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