Ugonna Onyenso eager to bring defense, shot-blocking to Detroit Pistons

Ugonna Onyenso's expression said more than words could.

>The seven-footer was in disbelief as he walked to the stage and greeted NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who had just called his name at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 24. Onyenso had just become the No. 53 pick during the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Moments prior, he and his agent prepared for the possibility of him sliding to No. 60.

>The Detroit Pistons proceeded to acquire the pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for cash, landing them one of the top rim protectors in college basketball.

>It was a whirlwind night for Onyenso, who smiled throughout his introductory press conference at the Pistons' practice facility in Midtown on Monday, July 6.

>Onyenso, a gifted defender, ended up being selected by a team that takes that end of the floor as seriously as he does. He signed a two-way contract with the Pistons last week, and is set to split his rookie season shuttling between the main roster and the G League's Motor City Cruise.

>"My strengths on the court is my defense," Onyenso said Monday. "Being able to block shots. The timing in the league is different from what it is in college, with defensive three seconds and everything. It’s something that I’ve gotta learn, something that I’ve gotta get used to. Being able to block shots, get a couple of steals on defense, that’s what I bring to the table."

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>The 21-year-old from Owerri, Nigeria, averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in just 18.6 minutes per game last season in 36 games at Virginia (30-6, 3-seed in March Madness), giving the Pistons a potential plus-rim protector after parting with their best defensive center by trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies at the draft.

>Onyenso played at Kansas State in 2024-25 and Kentucky for his first two collegiate years.

>Through four years of college, Onyenso averaged 2.1 blocks in just 15 minutes per game. He compared himself to Dallas Mavericks big man Dereck Lively, who has thrived in his straightforward role as a rim protector on defense and pick-and-roll lob threat offensively.

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>"I’m very into defense, I’m mostly a defensive-minded person," Onyenso said. "When I block shots, I get fun from doing stuff like that. Being in a situation where it’s a defensive-minded program, it’s a lot easier for me because I take pride in playing defense. I love a team that also takes pride in their defense and I feel like that’s how I built trust with one another."

>It's typically an uphill climb for any second-round pick to stick in the NBA, but Onyenso's best skill gives him a clear path to carving out a role. Rim protection is a need for every team, and the Pistons lost their best rim protector in Stewart.

>They're not helpless there – Jalen Duren and Paul Reed also contributed to the league's second-best paint defense last season. And in limited minutes, former two-way center Tolu Smith held his own as well. Onyenso can help add to a unit that will have to prove it can remain among the elite without Stewart, who grew into a prolific shot-blocker during his six seasons with the Pistons.

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>Onyenso's first test will be during summer league, which tips off against the Philadelphia 76ers in Las Vegas on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern (Prime Video).

>He acknowledged he didn't block a shot during the team's first summer league practice, which took place at their facility before his press conference. There's a learning curve ahead as he adjusts to the NBA's pace and timing, and he's looking forward to tackling it.

>"It’s been an amazing process," he said. "I learn from everything that happens around me, so I learned a lot from this process in general because it’s a once in a lifetime thing and everybody, especially where I’m from, wants to be in this situation. It’s a learning process for me, and I’ve learned a lot especially from different teams.

>"The NBA Draft, probably most of you saw my facial expression when I was drafted here. It was one of the funniest things that has happened to me. Everything has been really amazing up until now. I’m enjoying everything that’s been going around me. It’s my first time being a pro, everything is new to me. I’m taking everything in, learning from the people that’s been here, learning from the coaches. It’s a gradual process and I’m loving the grind."

class="exclude-from-newsgate">[ MUST WATCH: Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube. ]

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>Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.

>This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ugonna Onyenso eager to bring defense, shot-blocking to Detroit Pistons