Former Kentucky center Ugonna Onyenso is heading to the ACC

A little over two weeks after entering his name into the transfer portal for the second consecutive offseason, Ugonna Onyenso has found his new home.

According to multiple reports, Onyenso has signed to play his senior season of college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers. Starting his career at Kentucky for two seasons, the seven-foot big man transferred to Kansas State for the 2024-25 season. But after accepting a reserve role under head coach Jerome Tang, Onyenso is taking his shot-blocking skills to the ACC, where he’ll play for new head coach Ryan Odom.

Across his three-year college career, Onyenso has averaged 3.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 12.9 minutes per outing. He’s started 16 of 64 games played while shooting 59 percent from the field.

Kansas State center transfer Ugonna Onyenso has signed with Virginia, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247sports.

The 7-foot, 245-pound former top-35 overall recruit who began his career at Kentucky. Started 14 games for Kentucky during the 2023-24 season.… pic.twitter.com/bzu5eD7xK5

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 30, 2025

Playing high school ball out of Putnam Science Academy (CT), Onyenso reclassified up to 2022 upon signing with Kentucky. A native of Nigeria, he chose the Wildcats over the likes of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas. He was considered a top 30 recruit in his class by the On3 Industry Ranking.

Onyenso showed plenty of flashes during his two seasons in Lexington but could not put it together consistently. Across 16 games played as a freshman in 2022-23, he averaged 2.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and one block in just 6.9 minutes per contest on 52.9 percent shooting. His role increased as a sophomore in 2023-24: 3.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 18.8 minutes per outing. He started 14 of 24 games played while shooting 55 percent from the field.

Despite missing nine games that season due to injury, he recorded a stat line of 13 points, 16 rebounds, and eight blocks in an overtime loss to Florida. A few games later, he posted eight points and 10 blocks (which tied a Rupp Arena record) in a win against Ole Miss. His 48 blocks in SEC play led the entire conference. Onyenso ended up putting his name in the 2024 NBA Draft pool before ultimately returning to college and transferring to Kansas State.

But after another year of coming off the pine, Onyenso will look to spend his final season in the ACC, hopefully as a starter for a first-year head coach. He is one of six incoming transfer prospects for Virginia so far this offseason.

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