Freshman Ugonna Onyenso blocked five shots in 15 minutes, including four in nine minutes in the first half, against Missouri Western. (Vicky Graff Photo)
I never thought Kentucky freshman center Ugonna Onyenso was going to take minutes away from All-American center Oscar Tshiebwe.
However, I also never bought into the speculation that he was going to be content to redshirt and develop for the 2023-24 season. I just thought a gifted 7-footer who could block shots had to be able to find a way to help coach John Calipari’s team even if he’s been in the United States less than a year and in Lexington only since mid-August.
I feel even stronger that he can be a contributor after he got four points, three rebounds and five blocked shots in just 15 minutes against Division II Missouri Western in Sunday’s exhibition win. He doesn’t have to be a scorer but if he can protect the rim and rebound, he can back up Tshiebwe and maybe even make it easier for Calipari to play Tshiebwe less minutes in games.
“I think I did what I do best. I wasn’t really surprised in the last game we played,” Onyenso said Tuesday when asked about his blocked shots.
The Nigeria native averaged 11.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.7 blocks-per-game at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut last season before reclassifying from the 2023 recruiting class to the 2022 class at the last minute.
Onyenso was not expecting to play that much in the exhibition game (he didn’t go with the team to the Bahamas because of his late arrival in Lexington). He’s not even sure yet what his role on the team will be.
“We focused on team chemistry,” he said. “I just feel more comfortable.”
Shooting guard Antonio Reeves, a transfer from Illinois State, said Tuesday he’s still not used to the way Onyenso can block or change shots.
“I was just impressed by it. That’s what the team needs, is a good shot-blocker and good defender,” Reeves said. “The team gains the energy, seeing Ugo(nna) out there just blocking shots like that. We just get hyped.”
Calipari admitted after the game — again — that Onyenso has been better than expected so far.
Onyenso says he knows he’s improved since he got to Kentucky playing with and against Tshiebwe, Lance Ware and Daimion Collins daily. However, he had never played in an environment like the one in Rupp Arena Sunday night or the one he’ll be in again Thursday when UK hosts Kentucky State.
“Everything about Kentucky is a big stage for me,” he said. “I’m gonna be nervous whenever I step on the floor. I just got to calm myself down and tell myself ‘you’ve been doing this for a very long time, so you don’t have a reason to be nervous and you will be fine.’”
What about when the crowd at Rupp Arena is much bigger and louder for a game like one against Louisville, Kansas or a top SEC rival.
“We’ll see,” he smiled and said.
However, Kentucky fans — and Calipari — are already seeing that this freshman could be a much bigger contributor this year than even they imagined a few months ago.
