By SAM LANCE
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — One of the most important players in UPlay Canada’s run to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam 17u quarterfinals, four-star forward Onyx Nnani, is planning visits to FGCU and Mississippi State, he told ZAGSBLOG.
At Peach Jam, the 6-foot-9, 190-pound forward out of the Phelps Schools (PA) averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 51.6% from the field and 3-of-6 from deep. Most importantly, Nnani was versatile for UPlay. He often handled the ball, bringing it up the floor and facilitating the offense in the half-court. Nnani guarded the opposing team’s best player on several occasions as well.
“I can do a little bit of everything: shoot, put it on the floor, get to the rim,” Nnani said. “You can put me in with any lineup and I find a way to impact, whether it’s a small lineup or a bigger lineup. I can be more of a wing.”
Besides FGCU and Mississippi State, Nnani said he is hearing from VCU, Iona and St. Louis. He has also taken unofficials to Seton Hall and Temple. He has reported offers from Kansas State, NJIT, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Penn State on social media.
He broke down some of these programs to ZAGSBLOG at Peach Jam:
Mississippi State: “I like how they play, like they play fast – similar to like how I’m used to playing and just like they’ve been good recruiting me like reaching out to me every week or every other week.”
Boston College: “You know the ACC is cool, they’re a little close to where I’m going to school at right now. So there’s some Phelps alumni there – so yeah.” Boston College junior guard Chas Kelley III is from the Phelps school.
VCU: I don’t really know too much but I know they have a winning program and culture; they just got a new coaching staff. Matt Henry, he reached out so I’m looking forward to them recruiting me a little more.”
Iona: “You know, it’s also in that Northeastern region of like New York so I’m kinda close to there – so yeah. I just like where it’s located at and their winning culture.”
SLU: “Yeah, good school. They play- I like how they play, I think it’s pretty similar to how I play now.
FGCU: “Obviously it’s a very good school, I like how it’s in Florida. I heard from their assistant coach and their head coach, uh they were in the tournament I think last year or the year before so they have a good, winning program.” Hearing from assistant coach Andrew Francis and head coach Pat Chambers.
This summer, Nnani said he’s improved most with his motor.
“I play harder, faster,” Nnani said. “I think that I have a lot of potential.”
Nnani is ranked the No. 121 player in the 2025 class by 247Sports and the No. 3 player out of Pennsylvania.
“Onyx is a Swiss Army knife,” UPlay head coach Charles Hantoumakos said. “He can play on or off the ball, come off a screen or handle in a pick-and-roll. On the defensive end he can guard one-through-four and can guard the other teams best player. All of these skills combined with his ability and willingness to be coached makes for a very high ceiling.”
Nnani’s favorite NBA players to watch are Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Paul George. He’s also a big anime watcher and enjoys Naruto and One Piece specifically.
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