Film Room: Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso

It might be August 1st, but the Kentucky Wildcats just rounded out their 2022 recruiting class. Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is now officially a member of the class after choosing Kentucky over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee. The 6’11” center remained a 5-star recruit in the On3 rankings after reclassifying from the Class of 2023 to the Class of 2022. He comes in as the #3 center and #18 prospect overall.

When framing expectations for Onyenso upon his arrival in Lexington it will be important to keep the big picture in mind. First off all, this is a 17-year old entering high-major basketball when he should just be a high school senior. Additionally, he has the reigning National Player of the Year ahead of him on the depth chart. There is a more likely chance that the big man from Putnam Science Academy doesn’t play at all this season than there is of him actually playing a significant role. However, that doesn’t mean that getting him on campus isn’t extremely important for Coach Calipari and the Wildcats.

Giving Oscar Tshiebwe a 6’11” shot-blocker with big time length to go against every day in practice will certainly help. Also, it obviously will help Onyenso’s development going up against one of the best post players in the country every day of the season. Even if we don’t ever see him in uniform this season it will be beneficial for both this year’s team and certainly the 2023-2024 group to already have him in Lexington.

Now, let’s step on inside the KSR Film Room and break down Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso’s game further. The 6’11” center would be able to contribute on the defensive end right away. He is a very good shot blocker, rebounds his area well, and can be switchable on the perimeter. Offensively, he is raw but flashes a soft touch around the basket. As a ball screener and rim-runner he can get things done right now. The talent and potential really stand out on film. Kingsley has a chance to be a two-way force around the basket in years to come.

Rim Protection and Defensive Impact

When reading up on Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso you will hear a lot about Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso’s defense being ahead of his offense. That is definitely a fair assessment. He would have the ability to be a great rim protector from the moment he steps on campus at Kentucky. Onyenso displays great timing, quickness off the floor, and all of the length necessary to bother shots at the rim.

However, away from the basket, I think some of his footwork and technique is more flawed than some have evaluated. His hips are generally too high and his footwork is awkward when trying to guard the ball away from the basket. His length makes up for a lot of that still making him switchable in theory, but that part of his game is still a work in progress in my eyes. Still, the rim protection and verticality is an elite level skill that he already possesses.

In terms of length and verticality at the rim, Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is as good as they come in 2022. This block in the clip above is against one of the most skilled wings in the Class of 2024 at the Pangos All-American Camp. Onyenso has good timing on his jumps and is quick leaper which helps him block shots without fouling. Really impressive rim protection for his age.

You can really get a feel for how quickly Onyenso gets off the floor in this clip. The ball is literally out of the offensive player’s hand before Onyenso jumps. Still, he is able to meet the ball at the high point and block the shot. Maybe most impressively, Onyenso is very good at controlling his blocked shots so his team can actually recover the ball.

The fluidity with which Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso moves at his height is very impressive. While the ball is being driven downhill, the 6’11” center comes all the way from above the free throw line to the rim to block the shot. Also, once again, he keeps control of the ball and actually corrals it himself.

Interior Scoring

Offensively, Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is mostly a rim-runner and ball screener at this point in his development. He runs the floor very well, plays with a good motor, and can finish well above the rim on the roll or when thrown lobs in transition. Onyenso also is very good on the roll because he is such a good ball screener and seems to understand timing and angles to get open when diving to the rim. The 6’11” center flashes some additional skills as well, more on those later, but getting stronger and more physical will be necessarily for him to really contribute on the block as a scoring threat. Here is a look at where Onyenso’s game is at currently as a scorer at the rim.

This is where Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is at his best. When he can use his end-to-end speed to get out ahead of opposing big men he is tough to contain. As soon as the ball is stolen in this clip, Onyenso is into a full out sprint in a straight line to the rim. He is awarded with a throw-ahead pass which he catches in stride and throws it down.

One aspect that is promising when projecting the development of Kentucky’s newest recruit is that it is apparent he has been coached. Playing out of the dunker’s spot in this clip his fundamentals are pretty text book. Upon receiving the ball, Onyenso immediately pivots to have his shoulders parallel to the baseline, takes one power dribble, and finishes with a two-handed slam while still keeping the ball away from the defense. This is the area on the floor he would likely play when not ball screening as opposed to truly posting up on the block.

For a prospect that is still relatively raw offensively, Onyenso’s instincts are pretty solid. In the pick-and-roll he has a great feel for where to be and when to get there. In this clip his defender is out preparing to hard hedge the ballscreen, but the ball handler picks up his dribble and Onyenso slips to the for a wide open dunk. He is really good as the roll man.

Soft Scoring Touch

What you wouldn’t expect out of a prospect that is widely considered an offensive “project” is the soft touch that Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso displays. Even out to near the three-point arc his shooting mechanics are pretty solid and he shows an ability to get the ball in the basket. While a lot of these shots aren’t necessarily things he would be asked to do early in his career at Kentucky, it is still good to see Onyenso showcase the ability to score in more ways than simply at the rim. This is where his potential is really evident. If Onyenso can ever develop any sort of a face-up game he would really be hard to guard. Let’s take a look at the film.

These are the type of post moves I could actually see Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso developing over the next year in Lexington. He may never have the strength or comfortability to truly be a back to the basket bruiser. However, he has showcased this right shoulder turnaround jumper enough that it appears to be a shot he is confident in. Again, Coach Calipari isn’t likely to encourage this shot early in his career, but as he proves it to be a high enough percentage it could become a “go-to” sort of move. Onyenso does have a soft touch in that six to ten foot range.

When Onyenso isn’t taking the right shoulder turnaround jumper, this is the post move move he most prefers. You can see that on a deep post catch he is comfortable enough to at least make a real move. His lack of strength makes this look a little awkward in the end, but overall the fundamentals are solid. Onyenso takes one crab dribble into a right hand, left shoulder hook shot that he puts off the glass with touch. Again, this is the type of move he could actually make in a game for the Wildcats.

Now, let’s stretch the imagination a little bit further. If Onyenso ever makes jump shots like these at a respectable percentage he will be a first round draft pick. While this shot won’t likely be allowed, understandably so, in Lexington, the raw ability is still intriguing. The shot looks good coming out of his hand. For any sort of pause I have on his overall defensive ability, I probably am more bullish on his offensive game than others.