Ugonna Onyenso Reportedly Entering Transfer Portal After One Season at Kentucky

The reclassified big man will likely leave Lexington after one season, becoming the second Wildcat to enter the portal.

The first surprising move of the offseason for the 2022-23 Kentucky basketball roster has occurred. 

Ugonna Onyenso, the 6-foot-11 center out Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, is reportedly entering the transfer portal after one season at Kentucky. Tobias Bass of The Athletic was the first to report the news. 

🚨BREAKING: Kentucky center Ugonna Onyenso will enter the transfer portal

He averaged 2.5 points & 2.6 rebounds

Onyenso is a former top-40 recruit with a ton of upside. I expect many to inquire about the 7-footer @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/l8qGw3DnLW

— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) April 5, 2023

Onyenso was a 4-star prospect coming out Putnam Science Academy (Conn.) and was the No. 36 player in the 2022 class, per 247Sports Composite. He reclassified from the 2023 class and appeared in 16 games as a true freshman for the Wildcats this season, averaging 6.9 minutes a game. He totaled only 18 combined minutes in all of SEC play, playing superbly sparse backup minutes behind Oscar Tshiebwe and Lance Ware. 

His best game came early in the season in a win over Duquesne that saw him manage nine points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes while also blocking three shots. Head coach John Calipari had remained adamant about Onyenso's potential and was excited about a potential return for the big man in 2023. 

With 5-star center Aaron Bradshaw heading to Lexington, Calipari has mentioned the idea of being able to play multiple 7-footers at once, including Onyenso. The forward instead has other ideas and will look to blossom elsewhere. His loss will likely require Kentucky to hit the transfer portal itself to look for new rim protection for the 2023-24 season.

Onyenso's elite shot-blocking ability and presence around the rim will likely draw heavy interest in the portal. He becomes the second Wildcat to enter the portal, joining point guard Sahvir Wheeler. 

More Wildcats who have announced decisions can be found HERE. 

Pros and Cons of Tshiebwe Returning for a Third Season at Kentucky

More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.

More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.