Ugonna Kingsley takes pride in defense, goes mum on recruitment

If you’re looking for a can’t-miss shot-blocking talent in the rising senior class, five-star center Ugonna Kingsley is your guy. The 7-foot prospect out of Nigeria spent two and a half years at the NBA Academy Africa before transferring to Putnam (CT) Science Academy in January, where he immediately established himself as one of the top defenders in 2023.

In fact, if you ask him, there’s no one better in his class at protecting the rim — his greatest attribute.

“What I do best is blocking shots and getting rebounds, and at first, I thought it was just because I’m tall,” Kingsley told KSR this week at the 2022 Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas. “Then I noticed the other tall players in my class, they don’t do what I’m doing. I know I’m the best defender in the country, I’m a great shot-blocker.”

His offensive game is evolving. He runs the floor well and is growing more comfortable with his jump shot. The potential is there for Kingsley to expand his game.

“My offensive part of the game, shooting (is what I’m working on most),” he said. “I know I’m a great shooter, I just need consistency with my shot. I’m always working on my shooting so I can stretch the floor, always working on my offense.”

Until he turns that potential into production, though, he’s leaning on his shot-blocking abilities to take him to the next level. Considering the long list of schools reaching out to the five-star center, it’s a mindset that has clearly worked.

“My game is mostly helping my team defensively,” he told KSR. “That’s what I do best, playing good defense and protecting the rim. My offense is evolving — I know that for sure — but when I’m on my court, what I do best is help my team by playing great defense.”

Growing up playing soccer in Nigeria, Kingsley didn’t start playing basketball till he was 12 years old. Making his way to the United States and pushing to improve his game, he’s used Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as a role model for his own journey.

“Giannis, that’s kind of my mentor. I study him,” said Kingsley. “We kind of have the same situation, him growing up and looking at myself, I can see the similarities. It’s not even just about basketball, it’s his life off the court, as well. I study that too. I see myself in his story.”

Antetokounmpo played professionally in Greece for two years (2011-13) before hearing his name called in the 2013 NBA Draft. What will Kingsley do before his professional basketball dreams come true?

Well, it’s complicated.

Kingsley opened the Pangos event speaking with On3’s Jamie Shaw, where he singled out Kentucky as a clear top choice in his recruitment.

“I have been wanting to go to Kentucky all my life, even before coming to the states,” he told On3. “I don’t really know much about the school yet, but I know it is a good program for athletes, a lot of their guys are pros. I know Oscar Tshiebwe is also from (Africa), it means a lot he has had great success there.”

He also singled out Kansas — “a great school for big men” — and UConn — “I love everything about their program” — while adding LSU as a potential option, as well.

Just one day later, though, Kingsley’s tune shifted. His comments were a “misunderstanding on my side,” he told KSR. No schools mentioned, no favorites, no visits planned. Nothing.

“I don’t really know a lot about (my recruitment), my coaches are really the ones in charge of it,” he said. “I’m not really talking to schools directly, my coaches help with the schools reaching out to me. They tell me who is reaching out and I go based on what I’ve heard.”

A night-and-day difference from the day before, cautious about every word regarding his recruitment. He did add, however, that he is “open to every school” and that his previous comments were “on me.”

As far as a decision is concerned, he said that will come when the time comes. He’s focused entirely on basketball at this point in time.

“Right now I’m just working on my game, I’m not really thinking about my recruitment,” he told KSR. “When it comes time to make a decision, I’ll make a decision.”

What is he looking for in a school? Relationships, first and foremost.

“I am going to look closely at how the coaches interact with the players,” Kingsley told On3. “If the coach has a good relationship with his players it is going to help you out mentally. Someone like me, coming from Africa, a player and coach relationship is big for me.”

Kingsley is rated as the No. 24 overall prospect and No. 3 center in the latest On3 Player Rankings, with a bump to five-star status expected in the near future.

Where do things stand with Kentucky? Depends on the day you catch him, I suppose.