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Pistons’ Ugonna Onyenso shares emotional message after getting picked in NBA Draft
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- Pistons’ Ugonna Onyenso shares emotional message after getting picked in NBA Draft
Pistons' Ugonna Onyenso shares emotional message after getting picked in NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The inspiring journey of Ugonna Onyenso continues, and it is almost impossible not to root for him. His next stop: The Detroit Pistons .
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The Houston Rockets selected Onyenso with the No. 53 pick . The Rockets traded him to the New York Knicks , who shipped him to the Pistons. It sort of mirrored his college career, playing for Kentucky, Kansas State, and Virginia.
In 36 games for the Cavaliers, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks, which was second-best in the nation.
Onyenso admitted that he was caught off guard when he landed on the Pistons, but he is grateful for the opportunity to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA.
"I'm really surprised. I wasn't expecting that call. But being in this situation is an amazing thing, especially growing up in Africa, where basketball is not the main priority," said Onyenso, who grew up in Nigeria.
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"Being able to set a goal for myself, and I am achieving that goal, it's an amazing thing. The NBA Academy is one of the reasons why I am who I am mentally."
The 21-year-old center was a student-athlete at the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal in high school, catching the attention of scouts from the United States. In 2021, he was brought to Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, where he began his long journey to the NBA.
He could earn a spot in Detroit, especially after the team traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies .
Onyenso is looking to follow in the footsteps of other Africa-born players who became stars in the NBA, including Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo, Manute Bol, Joel Embiid , and Pascal Siakam .
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It is a tall order, but Onyenso has beaten the odds before. There is no stopping him from achieving another amazing thing.
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