Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Class of 2023 big man Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso drawing high-major interest
By ZACH SMART
After showing out as a versatile defensive backbone at 7-feet during the recent Mayhem in Maryland event, Class of 2023 NY Jayhawks prospect Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is hearing from a number of high major programs.
Syracuse, Providence, UConn and Boston College have all been recruiting the Nigerian native at a consistent pace. The big man attended games at Providence and UConn in February. LSU is working hard, Kentucky and Duke are involved and Kansas, Maryland and Florida offered the big man in the last week.
UConn, of course, recently received a commitment from Hassan Diarra, a former Top-100 recruit and transfer via Texas A&M.
Nigerian big man Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso getting shots up before NBA Academy Africa's matchup with Frederick King and LATAM. One of the more intriguing long term guys here. 17 with impressive physical tools, some skill and high-level defensive potential. pic.twitter.com/vaminiA7e3
Diarra attended Putnam Science (CT), the national power where Onyenso will prolong his career as a highly acclaimed senior. He’s also a product of the Team New England Basketball Club.
What differentiates Onyenso and makes him such a unique prospect?
“Skill, hands, and motor,” explained NY Jayhawks coach Jay David, who has witnessed transcendent big’s recent, rapid evolution.
When Onyenso first got to PSA, the team was already at 19-0 on the season.
His presence and ability to steer drivers away from the paint, however, helped take them to a different level.
“What separates (Ugonna) is his work ethic and his will to want to be great,” explained PSA associate head coach Josh Scraba, who cited Florida, Maryland, and Syracuse as programs who have been in recent pursuit of Onyenso.
“With this Jayhawks team he’s going to be truly a difference maker inside,” Scraba said. “Syracuse assistant Gerry McNamara has also done a commendable job recruiting Onyenso. Providence, UConn, and Boston College were the first to get involved with Onyenso when he arrived at the doorstep in Connecticut.
“Hopefully some blue bloods get involved and I think that’s definitely the market for his game,” Scraba said.
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
