Detroit Pistons center Ugonna Onyenso was surprised to hear his name called out 53rd at the 2026 NBA Draft, having once believed his dream of making the league was over, but is now confident he can grow into the sizable shoes left by Isaiah Stewart.
Stewart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal which saw the Pistons acquire three future second round Draft picks. Onyenso, who bounced back at Virginia Cavaliers following spells at Kentucky and Kansas State, is a potential long-term successor -- though the 22-year-old from Owerri, Nigeria, knows there is a long journey ahead.
When asked what he wants the Pistons fans to remember him by, Onyenso told ESPN: "I feel like my defense -- what I bring on the floor defensively -- because they lost a shot-blocker and I want them to know that I'm going to bring that shot-blocking ability back on defense for them too."
Although he added that he even hopes to one day surpass Stewart in that aspect of the game, Onyenso admitted: "The pace is the biggest difference [between the NBA and college basketball]. My blocked shots have got to be on a different timing and I'm still figuring that out.
"Getting rebounds, getting pick-and-rolls really fast - the little things like that - being able to do it at a higher pace requires getting in shape and conditioning myself more, but I'm getting there."
Onyenso is also still adjusting to being a full-time professional basketball player as opposed to a student athlete, but he is certainly not complaining.
Having been developed through the NBA Academy Africa and then Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, Onyenso arrived at Kentucky in 2022 as a highly-rated prospect with international experience for D'Tigers.
After a modest freshman year, Onyenso's sophomore season was derailed by a foot injury. He transferred to Kansas State, hoping to restore his spark, but the 2024-25 season was arguably the least productive of his college career.
After averaging 2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks across 24 games, only two of which were starts, Onyenso feared his NBA dream was over.
Instead, a year with Virginia put him back on the map as he averaged 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and made the ACC All-Defensive team.
He said: "After Kansas State, I thought I had no shot to get into the NBA anymore. When I left Kansas State, I thought I was going to go to a low-major D1 [college], but as God may have it, I was fortunate enough to go to Virginia. That was when I [regained] hope that I may have a chance.
"When my coaches let me shoot the ball, I was like: 'Ok, I have a real chance to get back on the [Draft] board. It's all about being patient for me and locked into the goal. [If I had not made it to the NBA], I would have probably gone overseas and played."
As Draft night approached, Onyenso still was uncertain whether his career would continue in the NBA or abroad - and believed that if he was to get drafted, it would be as the last pick.
"I thought I was going to go undrafted or go 60th. The Bucks had already texted my agent, saying that if I was available at 60, they would pick me at 60," he recalled.
"I heard my name get called [53rd] and they didn't text my agent or nothing. I don't know if you saw - I didn't even have a reaction when my name got called."
Indeed, Onyenso was left shocked as he was drafted - nominally by the Houston Rockets, although his draft rights were initially traded to the New York Knicks, and he was then traded to the Pistons for cash considerations.
He has been working predominantly with Senegalese G League assistant coach Assane Sene - who has spent the preseason working with the Pistons big men.
Sene had previously received praise from Stewart for his impact, and has urged Onyenso not to put too much pressure on himself in his first year as he looks to fill the void left behind by the 25-year-old, but also to not get carried away if the NBA dream continues to go better than he had imagined it.
"Enjoy what you're doing first of all. Know why you are here and don't get too comfortable. Don't get too comfortable. When things start going your way, don't say: 'I'm not going in the gym tomorrow,'" Sene said on what Onyenso would have to do in order for his first year as a professional to be deemed a success.
"I feel like he's doing a really good job of not being too comfortable. He's very hungry and wants to keep getting better."
Sene and Onyenso have much in common, having both began their basketball journeys in Africa, gone on to play for Virginia, and struggled with injuries at different points in their basketball journeys.
Sene believes there are lessons for Onyenso in the journey of another homegrown African NBA player - Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach.
"[Khaman] Maluach - I remember watching him in college. From college to now, he's a completely different player, but he probably put the work in the gym and in the weight room. You need to fill up. You need to be a little stronger on the floor and be explosive before you can rebound the ball better," Sene said.
"Also, the NBA game is all about spacing. Maluach understands better the spacing - which Ugo has been doing a really good job [learning]. He's getting there, which is really fun to watch."
The Pistons will be in action against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the opening game of the NBA season at Little Caesars Arena.
The NBA is available to watch on ESPN Africa's DSTV channels 218 and 219 (ESPN 1 & 2), which for South African viewers are also available on Disney Plus.
