Ugonna Onyenso's Christmas spirit is dependent on Kentucky beating Louisville

Ugonna Onyenso played two minutes against Louisville last season, not enough to accumulate any stats in the 86-63 win for Kentucky. Before that, the concept of a rivalry matchup was limited to his time playing for NBA Academy Africa, his first basketball home before making his way to the United States.

Back then, he’d get up for individual matchups at the annual NBA Academy Games held each summer — one program in particular getting under his skin. With teams located in Mexico, India, Africa and Australia, it was the Aussies of NBA Global Academy he wanted to beat most.

“Because they’re very good, they’re the best,” Onyenso said. “That’s the closest because they’re the toughest team. … It’s like a pride when you represent your Academy. That’s the closest I’ve been to a rivalry game.”

But Onyenso is learning quickly about this one. The one. Kentucky vs. Louisville is life or death in this state. That means it’s life or death for him now, too.

“It means a lot to me, the little rivalry thing. Kentucky has to win,” the sophomore shot-blocker said. “We still have to practice and prepare, because it’s a very big game. That’s not the game you can walk in feeling relaxed. We’ve got pressure on us.”

Just how important is it to win? Well, his happiness at Christmas is dependent on it. Seriously.

“We really have to make this work,” Onyenso said. “We want to have a good Christmas. If we win this game, we’re going home happy. I’m sure there are other teams looking forward to that too.”

That settles it. Win it for Ugo’s Christmas spirit or there will be hell to pay.