247Sports news: UNC and Louisville emerged favorite to land Kentucky big man….. read more.

An update regarding the former big man from Kentucky’s recruitment.

According to 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein, North Carolina and Louisville are regarded as “top options” for Kentucky big man Ugonna Onyenso on the transfer portal. The second-best center still available in the transfer portal, Onyenso, is exploring the NBA Draft, although his earning potential in college basketball is probably higher.

“When Ugonna Onyenso declared for the draft, most people thought that decision was a little premature,” Finkelstein stated. “Now, it appears that playing college basketball will greatly increase his earning potential. More is still needed in North Carolina. They have not yet discovered Armando Bacot’s replacement despite their search. They are regarded as some of his best choices.”

Finkelstein reports that Pat Kelsey, the new head coach of Louisville, has been using the transfer portal since assuming the position and is hoping to bolster the team’s rim protection unit. Alabama was also considered, but since they signed Cliff Omoruyi from Rutgers, they are not seen as a danger.

“Louisville is another program that is considered among his top options,” Finkelstein stated. Pat Kelsey has made a number of noteworthy choices. Rim protection is still needed by him and the Cardinals. Alabama was considered, but I’m sure it’s no longer an option now that they’ve signed Cliff Omoruyi. For Onyenso moving ahead, keep an eye on Louisville and North Carolina.”

This offseason, Onyenso is ranked as the No. 29 center and 180th overall prospect on the transfer portal. After Baba Miller of Florida State, he is the second-rated center currently available. In his sophomore campaign, the 7-footer averaged 3.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 58.8% from the free-throw line and 55.0% from the field. In 2023–24, Onyenso was one of the top shot blockers in college basketball. His average of 2.75 blocks per game ranked third in Division I and fifth in Kentucky history.

Onyenso stated this week, “Hopefully the feedback I receive will help me stay in the league.” For me, it’s a journey of learning. I will stay if all goes according to plan. If not, I’ll return to school and work on improving. If there’s any encouragement to stay, I will stay. I’m not currently speaking with any schools. I’ll let my uncle take care of things for me. I’m currently fully committed to this process and giving it my all. They are not conversing with me. My uncle is being spoken to by them.

Due to a foot fracture, Onyenso was unable to play in Kentucky’s first eight regular-season games. He made his debut for the team in the CBS Sports Classic versus UNC. He contributed one point, one rebound, one assist, and three blocks in his ten minutes of action off the bench. Onyenso was promoted to the starting center position for the rest of the season by John Calipari following his impressive six-point, four-rebound, and three-block performance against Arkansas on January 27.

Onyenso recorded career-highs of 13 points and 16 rebounds in his first career start against Florida in overtime. He also blocked eight shots. After two weeks, he defeated Ole Miss and set a record at Kentucky-Rupp Arena with ten blocks.

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Report: Kentucky is visited by a top-15 transfer.

Chaz Lanier, a transfer from North Florida, will be in Kentucky on Monday, according to a report by Travis Branham of 247sports.

North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier, a 6-foot-4 guard who is ranked 11th overall in the transfer portal, is scheduled to visit Kentucky on Monday, according to a report from Travis Branham of 247sports.

This weekend, he will be in Provo, Utah, touring the Cougars, and his first stop will be BYU, the old home of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, according to Branham. When the Nashville native first accessed the transfer portal, Tennessee was regarded as the front-runner, therefore Lanier is also anticipated to visit them.

Lanier visited several colleges after taking part in the Chicago NBA G League Combine. Pope went to watch Lanier and also went to the NBA Combine to watch BYU transfer and fellow UK target Jaxson Robinson play.

The 6-foot-4 guard attended North Florida for his first four years of college.

He participated in 31 games as a sophomore in 2021–22, starting eight of them, after appearing in just 10 as a true freshman. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. In the Rupp Arena defeat to Kentucky, he recorded three steals.

He averaged 4.7 points and 2.5 assists in 31 games as a junior, making nine starts. On their second visit to Rupp Arena, UNF suffered a defeat despite Lanier’s two points and two rebounds.

The guard emerged throughout the previous season. He averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while playing in 32 games for the Ospreys, of which he started 31. He also shot 51.0 percent from the field, 44.0 percent from three, and 86.4 percent from the free throw line. In a loss to North Alabama, he recorded a career-high 35 points, two 33-point games, a 30-point evening, and one double-double.

Lanier would be a good fit for Kentucky’s ongoing search for an all-around scorer who can lead the Cats on any given night.

With 11 players signed thus far, Kentucky just has two spaces left on its scholarship roster for 2024–2025. It hopes that one of the two players to occupy those places will be Lanier or Robinson.