Lycoming News

The Penn Athletics Hall of Fame Class XIII induction ceremony will take place on Friday, Sept. 27 at The Inn at Penn.

On Onyekwe's plaque: He was a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year—just the second player in program history to be so honored—and Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman. His teams won three Ivy League titles including a pair of unbeaten campaigns. He graduated second on the program's all-time scoring list, with 1,762 points, and was eighth on the all-time rebounding list with 759 boards. He also ended his career tops in program history with 105 starts (out of 118 games played) and 99 double-figure scoring games. He was a four-time All-Ivy and two-time first-team All-Big 5 selection, led the Quakers to the Big 5 title his junior year, and was inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 2015.

by Marc Narducci

It didn't take Ugonna Onyekwe long to make his mark on the University of Pennsylvania basketball program. In his first collegiate game, Onyekwe gave indicators of what would eventually become a Hall of Fame career.

Nearly a quarter-century later, on September 27, Onyekwe will be inducted as part of the Penn Athletics Hall of Fame Class XIII. The ceremony will be held at The Inn at Penn.

A 6-foot-8 forward, Onyekwe had the most challenging assignments for his first collegiate game: Kentucky, at Rupp Arena, as part of the Preseason NIT. The date was November 17, 1999, and it marked Onyekwe's official introduction to college basketball against one of the sport's most fabled programs.

Penn would lose the game, 67-50, but the Quakers were competitive, trailing just 32-28 at halftime. Onyekwe would share team-high scoring honors with senior Matt Langel, both with 14 points. The freshman was 6-of-8 from the field and added eight rebounds in 19 minutes of action.

Making his collegiate debut, Onyekwe clearly wasn't fazed by playing one of college basketball's signature programs in front of 21,451 fans in Lexington.

"That first game in Rupp Arena against a strong Kentucky team was the signal to everybody else in the world what they would see from him over the next four years," said Koko Archibong, who was a freshman along with Onyekwe on that Penn team. "We had been practicing with him and knew what he could do."

For perspective, that Kentucky team went 23-10 and was a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing to No.4 seed Syracuse in the second round. It included future NBA first-round draft picks Jamall Magloire and Tayshaun Prince.

To this day, it is a debut performance that Onyekwe recalls fondly.

"My first game played at Kentucky really stood out," he said. "I remember coming off the bench and I had like 14 points; it was a great way to be introduced to college basketball."

What was remarkable was that nobody was surprised to see Onyekwe adjust so quickly to college basketball.

"His talent was clear from Day One," said Langel who is currently head coach at Colgate University and has guided them to five NCAA Tournament appearances since the 2018-19 season. "His athletic ability, his skill...he did all things we weren't as familiar with."

The Quakers soon leaned heavily on Onyekwe who continued developing impressively during his career at Penn.

Onyekwe helped Penn earn three Ivy League titles and corresponding NCAA Tournament appearances during his four seasons. He twice received Ivy League Player of Year honors.

"He played without fear; there were no nerves with Ugonna," said Fran Dunphy who coached him at Penn and now holds that position at La Salle University."He was smooth and highly competitive."

Dunphy noted that Onyekwe’s defensive abilities were often overlooked.

"He guarded tough opponents regardless their size," Dunphy said."He could guard point guards through centers equally adeptly; he was great coaching material."

Onyekwe grew up Nigeria where he did not play organized basketball until moving London aged fourteen.His main source for basketball back home consisted “hooping front yard,” according him.It London where truly developed passion leading arrival United States.Onyekwes pent two years Mercersburg Academy Pennsylvania before being recruited Penn.

"I knew wanted come States play college possibly professionally fortunately things fell place happen,"Onykwesaid.

"We recruited him out Mercersburg,and really good player fortunate get him,”Dunphysaid.

Even though came undeniable talent,it worth ethic took another level.

"He made himself good scorer,"Dunphysaid."Extraordinary athleticism but didn’t grow up game made himself good player because worked hard determined best could be."

Despite having little organized experience before attending Archibongknew beginning special player

"No question about it incredible how game-ready already performing high level when came impressive see."

More than play court cherishes life-long friendship

"He awesome teammate friend life”Archibongsaid.Long professional career Europe played Olympic Games Nigeria.”We close same class similar background important person me really brother time.”

During freshman year1999–00,Penn’s third-leading scorer second-leading rebounder averaging11 .7points six rebounds.Penn went21–7overall14–0winning Ivy League.Onykwenamed Rookie Year.The No13seed NCAA Tournament East Regional lost Illinois first round68–58.Onykweleading scorer rebounder17points six rebounds loss Fighting Illini.

Only year didn’t compete sophomore enjoyed strong season.Second team scoring(13 .8ppg)first rebounding(7 .4rpg).

Next two seasons major leap Player Year.During junior2001–02,Penn went25–7won11–3mark.Big Five title going4–0first-team selection.For season averaged17 .5points six rebounds lead categories.No11seed lost California82 –75opening-round.Onykwechared16points.

Senior year22 –614 –0winning league.Led categories again16 .5ppg6 .4rpg named first-team straight year.Once again11seed lost Oklahoma State77 –63.Just spectacular debut bookended memorable final appearance scored30points hitting10 –16shots including1 –2three-point range sank nine free throws adding four rebounds37minutes.

“Now look back great way high note”hesaid.“In moment trying win showcasing myself prove stage wanted badly.”

Must noted three games higher-seeded teams averaged21points per game

“If honest felt those(NCAA)games time produce”Onykewesaid.Currently resides Dallas works product manager SPINS LLC

Besides two awards one Rookie twice second-team choice twice first-team.Ended1762career points second graduation remains third more than decades later.Played118games tied second-all-time just behind leader AJ Brodeur.His759rebounds ranks ninth while third blocked shots(139)tenth field-goal percentage(.530).Career averages14 .9points6 .4rebounds1 .18blocked shots.Also inducted Big Five2015.After career played eight years professionally Israel Spain

"It great"hesaid.Wife Buffy Youngblood has two young children."Loved playing Spain Israel great fans countries."

Now being inducted given chance reflect

“I had great experience challenges,”hesaid.Marketing major Wharton.“With all experiences look back fondly time.”

###