Kentucky received massive in its temporary journey to Canada this previous week whereas collaborating within the GLOBL JAM, the place it returned dwelling with the gold medal after profitable all 4 video games and gained useful expertise for an overhauled roster (whereas apparently hanging out at Drake’s crib within the course of).Â
But it surely wasn’t all massive wins for Massive Blue up north, as its frontcourt depth — already a priority with five-star freshman Aaron Bradshaw present process surgical procedure earlier this summer season to deal with a fractured foot — took a much bigger hit with second-year breakout candidate Ugonna Onyenso sustaining a foot damage throughout practices main as much as the match.
UK coach John Calipari over the weekend hinted that Onyenso’s damage, at first not seen as extreme, was probably extra vital than initially feared and that he could possibly be out “some time.”Â
These fears had been formally confirmed Tuesday, as Calipari tweeted that Onyenso might be out for “a few months.”
“No one hated lacking final week’s video games greater than him and I do know he will work his manner again to as soon as once more have a optimistic impression on this crew,” Calipari tweeted.
So the place do the ‘Cats prowl from right here as their rotation of bigs — as soon as seen as a possible energy even because it appears to be like to interchange a former nationwide participant of the 12 months in Oscar Tshiebwe — abruptly appears to be like questionable at greatest and downright dicey at worst?
This is how issues may shake out, the place issues stand and an outline of the pedigree each incoming and already in-house:
Onyenso’s bona fides
In Kentucky’s sixth-ranked recruiting class in 2022, Onyenso was an under-the-radar piece who ranked because the third-highest ranked prospect of 4 highschool commits and a four-star expertise, the results of reclassifying from the 2023 class to the 2022 class considerably late within the cycle. At 7-feet tall and pushing 240 kilos, he sparsely noticed taking part in time final season, showing in 16 video games and averaging 2.5 factors and 1.0 blocks per recreation. Extrapolated out to a per-40 minute stat line, although, his 14.4 factors, 5.8 blocks and 15.1 rebounds per recreation averages instructed the flashes may current actual upside for him in a much bigger position.
Onyenso entered the switch portal earlier this offseason doubtless looking for such a job, however within the spring, he introduced he was returning to UK and had eliminated his identify from the portal in a uncommon return from portal land.
Bradshaw’s damage looms giant
Rumors of a possible foot damage to massive man Aaron Bradshaw — the second-highest ranked recruit in UK’s No. 1-ranked incoming class and a five-star, top-five expertise within the 2023 class — had been confirmed by Calipari in June when he advised reporters that Bradshaw underwent surgical procedure to restore a fractured foot. That was the primary massive hit to UK’s stacked frontcourt. Calipari stated on the time that the surgical procedure wouldn’t preclude him from returning in time for the season, however appeared to depart the door open that he could possibly be labored again slowly.
Kentucky’s plans for the 5
With Bradshaw out indefinitely and Onyenso out for months, UK now has a number of paths to fill out its roster on the 5 spot. The most definitely Band-Assist repair is solely slotting West Virginia switch Tre Mitchell — who performed some middle throughout UK’s journey in Canada — in that spot. Calipari stated he appreciated what Mitchell delivered to the desk as a floor-spacing massive, and appeared to trace that exploring doing that in a extra expanded position could possibly be helpful. Now, it appears vital.
Kentucky can also construct out its depth by way of both the portal or — much like how Onyenso landed at Kentucky — by convincing a giant to reclassify. What stays within the portal shouldn’t be preferrred, nevertheless it’s not unimaginable to suppose that would change … particularly if a chance at Kentucky opens up. 2024 recruit Somto Cyril, a four-star middle, may additionally probably reclassify to 2023, an choice that had beforehand been explored.