The Detroit Pistons traded into the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft in order to select shot-swatting savant Ugonna Onyenso out of Virginia
When the Detroit Pistons made the move to jump into the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft to select former Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso, the 6-11 shot-blocking phenom had a whirlwind of emotions to put it lightly.
At the time, Onyenso and his agent were discussing the possibility that he could be the 60th pick in the draft, but the Pistons completely vanquished those thoughts with little to no notice according to the rookie.
“It’s been an amazing process,” Onyenso said during his first media availability. “I’m the type of person [where] I learn from everything that happens around me, so I learned a lot from the process in general. It’s a one-time thing. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Everybody, especially where I’m from, wants to be in this situation, so it’s a learning process for me. I’ve learned a lot, especially from different teams. The NBA Draft and all, probably most of you saw my facial expression when I got drafted down here. It was probably one of the funniest things that’s happened to me, but everything has been really amazing up until now. I’m enjoying everything that’s going on around me. It’s my first time being a pro, everything is new to me, so I’m taking everything in, learning from people that’s been here, learning from the coaches, so it’s like a gradual process and I’m loving the grind.”
From that answer alone, it was clear that Onyenso has a charismatic personality on display, and it was also demonstrably apparent that he is not taking his opportunity in the NBA for granted. And why would he? Onyenso made his name by swatting 2.9 shots per game while at Virginia, so it’s rather fitting that he’s headed to an organization that places a high value on defensive rigidity.
”My strengths on the court is my defense, being able to block shots,” Onyenso said. “The timing in the league is different from what it is in college with defensive three seconds and everything. So, it’s like something that I’ve got to learn, something that I’ve got to get used to. But being able to block shots, get a couple steals on defense, that’s what I bring to the table.”
After the draft, Virginia head coach Ryan Odom acknowledged that the newest member of the Pistons is more than equipped to block shots at the pro level, but he also revealed that Onyenso has an impressive perimeter shot for a player who is mostly regarded as a rim protector. But despite that still-developing facet of his game, Onyenso made it abundantly clear that he recognizes his impact on the defensive end of the court.
”I’m very heavy on defense,” Onyenso said. “I’m mostly defensive-minded. When I block shots, I get fun from doing that, stuff like that. So, being in a situation where it’s also 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. We help one another on defense, and I feel like that’s how you build trust with one another.”
As the Pistons prepare to begin their Summer League slate, Onyenso participated in his first practice with Detroit yesterday. Naturally, Onyenso is still adjusting to his new squad, but the big man didn’t need much time in order to appreciate the opportunity that he’s been given with the Pistons.
“I’m glad to be here,” Onyenso said. “I’m really glad to be here.”
Since Onyenso is signed to a two-year two-way deal according to Spotrac, the Pistons will have the flexibility to use the second-rounder in either the NBA or in the G-League with the Motor City Cruise. But regardless of which jersey he’s wearing, don’t count on Onyenso taking his chance for granted anytime soon.
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