John Calipari still believes freshman Ugonna Onyenso can be one of the “best big guys” in the country next year. (Vicky Graff Photo)
He was not a factor for Kentucky once Southeastern Conference play started, but Kentucky coach John Calipari insists he has not lost faith in Ugonna Onyenso’s potential even though he did not play in either NCAA Tournament game last weekend.
“He’s behind some pretty good players, but at the end of the day, my guess is he’ll be, if not the best, one of the best big guys in the country next year,” Calipari said.
The five-star, 7-foot Onyenso reclassified to the 2023 recruiting class late last summer and didn’t get to UK in time to even make the trip to the Bahamas. However, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony had Onyenso as the No. 40 overall pick in a recent 2024 NBA mock draft even though he averaged only 2.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 6.9 minutes per game in 16 appearances this season. (Onyenso is not eligible for this year’s draft).
In non-conference play, had nine points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes against Howard and seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocks against North Florida.
Calipari said Lance Ware was a more physical player than Onyenso and Daimion Collins, who also played sparingly, was a similar player to Onyenso but with more experience.
“I met with Ugonna. He’s the greatest kid. He said, ‘Coach, coach, coach, I didn’t expect to be playing. Whatever you need me to do, I’m there.’ He has gotten so much better as a player,” Calipari said.
“You think about what he did early. But you got Oscar (Tshiebwe) , you got Daimion, you got Lance, you got some big guys out there.”
Onyenso was the one consoling Tshiebwe the most after UK’s season-ending loss to Kansas State Sunday.
“I have learned so much from him and it was not just basketball,” Onyenso said. “He’s been more than a brother. He’s really helped me.”
14 Responses
There is a real chance that Onyenso leaves UK and Calipari knows it because he is the reason for it. Onyenso should have been playing the 5 with Oscar at the 4 all season long. It would have given Onyenso the PT to be ready for tourney time and for Oscar to have become the best power forward in basketball. It would have also allowed Toppin to develop a 3 shot at the 3 spot. That would have given us the best frontcourt in basketball. With Reeves at the 2 and Wallace at the point, we would have won the SEC tourney and been a Final Four contender. Calipari threw it all away so he could play Wheeler and Frederick. Neither were a good fit for this team as starters and it ultimately cost us everything. Now, with a wasted year gone by, Onyenso needs to go to a school that will develop him and he will be a star. John Calipari is a first class guy and a horrible coach. Somewhere along the past 14 years, he got the idea that his job was to play favorites and develop draft picks and nothing could be further from the truth. It’s time for him to leave and give someone else a chance to return Kentucky back to its blueblood status in college basketball.
So all you’ve Done is put onyenso in the lineup and taken Livingston out. You are an idiot.
That posting speaks to your lack of understanding of the game. You fit right in with Calipari and the rest of the Calipari lovers.
interesting. Seasons over and like any of uspleaded to play Collins and Owensyo all year. how coould he not play a 7 footer blocker all year. as well as Collins
March Madness proved 3 things
1.Most of the teams had a 7 footer playing outstanding ball. Defense n offense
2.Most teams played 9 + players . all with double digit minutes
3.Most teams scrapped hard for 40 minutes and moved the ball under a plan
Cal did none of these. strictly one on one BB
CONCLUSION
EVERY TEAM INCLUDING THESE SMALL SCHOOLS WERE A MUCH MORE DISCLIPINED
TEAM. SORRY TO SAY CAT’S POSSIBLY LESS THEN A 15 SEED
SAD
Word is Onyenso may be transferring to St. John’s. HE would prefer to stay here but his handlers think he would be developed better there or somewhere else. Apparently they brought him here from Africa so he is sort of obligated to go where they want.
Pitino will make him a star. Calipari was just going to waste his talents and then blame it on Onyenso.
That is what Jack Pilgrim said today on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk with me and Anthony White
I have wondered for months if he will move on after this season, and it seems at least plausible, and it also seems Calipari is scrambling into damage control.
If this kid ends up at St Johns, he may give Pitino the ticket to the Final Four that he craves.
you could be right Professor
He will definitely develop under Pitino if he can stand the pushing and hard work.
He also should have gotten a lot more minutes here.
No reason Cal could not have develop a big team with Onyenso playing the post and a smaller team with Oscar in the post.
I always saw Oscar as a Karl Malone type player with the way he never quit running. Karl used muscle and a never ending motor just like Oscar.
Everyone saw that lineup as the best ones except for Calipari and the Calipari lovers.
I hope he does go to st johns and thrives. He should have been playing this year here at UK. But Cal has obligations other than winning championships at UK.
You can’t keep saying how good players are and not play them. It’s beyond strange.
Oscar should have been allowed to develop as a power forward. This would have greatly improved his NBA potential and allowed Onyenso more playing time.
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