A year and a half ago, Ugonna Onyenso was sure the NBA had passed him by. Now the 7-foot rookie from Owerri, Nigeria, is on a two-way deal with the Pistons.

After a 2.8-point season at Kansas State, he expected to land at a low-major school. “As God may have it, I was fortunate enough to go to Virginia.”

In one season he averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 18.6 minutes, made the ACC All-Defensive team and started shooting threes.

“I thought I was going to go undrafted or go 60th,” he said. Detroit bought the No. 53 pick for cash and signed him to a two-way contract.

With Stewart traded to Memphis, Onyenso wants fans to know “I’m going to bring that shot-blocking ability back on defense for them.”

“The pace is the biggest difference,” he said. He is listed out for Tuesday’s opener vs. Boston on G League assignment, not injury.

Ugonna Onyenso at his introductory press conference with the Detroit Pistons, July 2026. Photo credit: Detroit Pistons / YouTube video still.

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