Ugonna Onyenso on his offseason development: "I'm trying to get buckets"

After a year of learning behind two-time All-American Oscar Tshiebwe, rising sophomore center Ugonna Onyenso is ready for his moment.

The 6-foot-11 big man saw limited action as a noticeably raw freshman in 2022-23. He appeared in only 16 games, averaging 2.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in just 6.9 minutes per outing. Oyenso showed plenty of flashes early on in the season but was relegated to the bench once SEC play rolled around. He was simply too inexperienced to keep up with the jump in opposing talent.

Heading into year two at Kentucky, the excuse of being inexperienced isn’t going to be as readily accepted. Especially with five-star freshman Aaron Bradshaw expected to miss time following foot surgery, Onyenso could be the Wildcats’ lone center to start the season. He’s certainly been putting in the work this offseason to deal with that responsibility though.

“I think I really improved from last year,” Onyenso told reporters on Thursday. “Positioning-wise — I mean I’m still working on that but I’ve really improved well in that aspect. When to screen, when to go for a lob, and when to pop. It depends on what the defense is. So that’s one thing that I think I’m really going to show.”

You’ve probably seen the graphic by now posted by strength and conditioning coach Brady Welsh back in May. In a matter of nine months, Onyenso added 12 pounds to his frame, reduced his body fat by over three percent, and added five inches to his vertical. From a physicality standpoint, the Nigerian native certainly looks more the part of a starting-caliber SEC big.

Now he just needs to see it translate into more production on the hardwood. He appears up to the task, but more importantly, just as willing to learn.

“I’m trying to get buckets,” Onyenso said. “I’m trying to be like the other guys, I’m trying to get buckets. When I get someone smaller on me in the paint what to do, when I’m up top what to do. Those are things that I’m working on. When you get the ball up top, what are you gonna do with the ball? That quick second, what are you gonna do with the ball? Low post, what are you doing with the ball? So those are the things that I’m really working on.”

9 months of Discipline and Dedication. Proud of you! @OnyensoUgonna pic.twitter.com/zLgsIHAli3

— Braden Welsh (@B_Welsh11) May 4, 2023

From the time he arrived at Kentucky until roughly a month ago, Onyenso was always battling the likes of Tshiebwe and Lance Ware during practice. But both players have moved on from the program now, meaning someone has to take the hits down low and control the paint. Fortunately, Onyenso was able to take the lessons he learned from them and is now putting them to use throughout the first couple weeks of practice.

“It’s a lot different now,” he added. “Getting rebounds at practice, blocking shots. I feel like being the bigger guy in the paint, playing against Oscar and Lance last year really helped me with positioning, how to be tough, especially getting rebounds. It’s really different without them here. I feel like I’m the bigger guy, especially in the paint.”

Onyenso still has someone helping him along though. In particular, new assistant coach John Welch has built a reputation as a premier developmental coach. He’s been working with Onyenso early on and there are clear areas of his game that the big man is improving in. Showing more aggression is step one.

“Being physical. He’s teaching me how to be physical,” Onyenso said of Welch. “He said I’ve got all the skills I need, it’s just about when to use your body. How to use it. It’s about being physical.”

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