Duquesne's head coach believes Ugonna Onyenso will "make a lot of money" in the NBA

Ugonna Onyenso has been the most pleasant surprise in recent memory for Kentucky men’s basketball. The seven-foot freshman hasn’t even been in the United States for a full year yet but he continues to showcase some new form of a skill he hadn’t before in every passing game for the Wildcats. That was the case again on Friday night in Kentucky’s 77-52 win over the Duquesne Dukes.

With reigning national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe on the bench once again rehabbing his knee, Onyenso was funneled more minutes than expected when he first arrived on campus. He finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks as Lance Ware‘s backup off the bench. Onyenso shot 4-7 from the floor (1-2 from the free-throw line) in his 19 minutes of action.

When Onyenso first came to Lexington, the expectation was that he’d watch patiently from the sideline and play behind Ware as the third-string center. Conversations of a redshirt season aren’t too far in the rearview mirror. But after what Onyenso has shown on the floor through the preseason and now two regular season games, he might not even be in town for long at all.

“They’ve got really good players, but that big guy… That guy’s gonna make a lot of money (in the NBA),” Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot said of Onyenso. “He’s the newfangled — that’s kinda what those centers in the NBA look like now. Run, jump, and then he changes the game. We told our guys if you’re not 100 percent shooting don’t shoot it because it’s coming back at you. And that’s just like a turnover really. I hope you keep him a while, it won’t be easy.“

When asked after the game about Coach Dambrot’s comments, Onyenso grinned before busting out an early contender for quote of the year.

“It doesn’t change anything,” Onyenso said. “I just keep staying focused and I’m just working on my craft, trying to improve every day. When the time comes, I’ll make the money. But for now, all I’m focused on is improving my game offensively and also building my confidence.”

Ugonna Onyenso is cocky in the best way possible. Here is his response when a reporter (@HunterShelton_) asked Ugo what he thought about Duquesne's HC saying he'll "make a lot of money" in the NBA one day.

Ugo dropped 9pts/10rebs/3blks on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/twDFOeCxaO

— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) November 12, 2022

Onyenso’s sudden rise in the rotation has shocked almost everyone, even his coaches. John Calipari has repeatedly stated how he only has to tell Onyenso something once and that’s the last time it ever comes up. His shot blocking adds a layer to Kentucky’s game plan that is desperately needed.

“And Ugonna, wow. Like, he impacts the game the minute he walks on the court,” Calipari said postgame. “Not afraid. How about he shot a right-handed jump hook from 12 feet? Airball. But, he had the courage to shoot it.”

But guess who isn’t surprised about his quick success? Yup, Onyenso himself.

“I mean I was expecting it but I’m not surprised. I’m not surprised.”