Big man Ugonna Onyenso, who is originally from Nigeria and was recruited by Syracuse basketball when he suited up for a prep powerhouse in Connecticut, is hitting the portal.
Top national reporter Joe Tipton of On3 reported via his X page that the 7-foot, 247-pound Onyenso, currently a junior center at Big 12 Conference member Kansas State, plans to enter the transfer portal. The current transfer portal window runs through April 22.
NEWS: Kansas State big man Ugonna Onyenso is entering the transfer portal, source told @on3sports. ⁰⁰The 7-0 junior began his career at Kentucky. https://t.co/l1bIY07yWh pic.twitter.com/TUWjDpYYPr
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 14, 2025
Onyenso started out his collegiate career at Southeastern Conference school Kentucky. As a member of the 2022 class, he was rated five stars, No. 18 nationally and No. 3 at center, per On3.
I'll be curious to see if the 'Cuse coaching staff shows any level of interest in Onyenso, who has twice appeared in the NCAA Tournament. In 2024-25, Kansas State went 16-17 overall.
Syracuse basketball has several power forwards/centers on its roster.
As a junior in 2024-25, according to ESPN statistics, Onyenso averaged 11.1 minutes, 2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game while making 70.0 percent from the field and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line.
In February of 2022, the Orange offered a scholarship to Onyenso, who was initially in the 2023 cycle but moved up to the 2022 class after he committed to Kentucky. While suiting up for the Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Conn., Onyenso scored a range of high-major offers, and some reports indicated that Syracuse basketball coaches were in regular communication with him at one point in his recruitment.
When at Putnam Science, Onyenso was praised by analysts and scouts for his athleticism, length, defensive instincts and proficiency at blocking shots as well as being a solid rim protector.
At the time of this writing, as we look ahead to the 2025-26 season, the 'Cuse has 10 scholarship players, with five scholarships still available. The Orange staff saw two 2024-25 players decide to come back, along with commitments from four college transfers and four 2025 signees at the high school level.
In terms of big men, Syracuse basketball has landed transfer pledges from UCLA junior William Kyle lll and Georgia Tech redshirt freshman Ibrahim Souare. Both of them, as far as I can tell, are able to suit up at either power forward or center.
With multiple scholarships left, I'd contend that the 'Cuse could use another power forward/center for depth in its front-court, along with perhaps another point guard and a 3-point specialist out on the wing.