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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 20: Ugonna Onyenso #33 of the Virginia Cavaliers dunks in the second half during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at John Paul Jones Arena on December 20, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
Not long after the Detroit Pistons traded away the veteran center Isaiah Stewart, they managed to acquire a young center entering the league.
Although the Pistons didn’t possess a second-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Trajan Langdon’s front office traded with the New York Knicks in order to land another rookie.
Detroit Pistons Trade With Knicks For New Big Man After Isaiah Stewart Exit
GettyCHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – DECEMBER 20: Ugonna Onyenso #33 of the Virginia Cavaliers shoots over Solomon Washington #9 of the Maryland Terrapins in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on December 20, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the New York Knicks selected Ugonna Onyenso with the 53rd overall pick.
The draft rights to the rookie center were immediately sent to the Pistons in exchange for cash.
TRADE: The New York Knicks have selected Ugonna Onyenso with the 53rd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and he will be traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for cash considerations, league sources say.
Ugonna Onyenso’s NCAA Run
GettyLOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 13: Ugonna Onyenso #33 of the Virginia Cavaliers takes a shot over Aly Khalifa #15 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at KFC YUM! Center on January 13, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The 21-year-old center is a seven-footer, who had runs at three different schools since 2022.
Throughout his first two seasons, Onyenso played a limited role at Kentucky. After averaging 14.0 minutes of action throughout his first two seasons, Onyenso moved to Kansas State for a season.
There, he appeared in 24 games. In a bench role, he averaged 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in 11.0 minutes of action on average.
Lastly, Onyenso played at Virginia. During the 2025-2026 NCAA season, Onyenso cae off the bench for 18.6 minutes per game. In 36 games of action, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, which led the ACC.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA/NFL reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso