Ikegwuruka, Onyenso Meet the Media
Oct 03, 2024 | Men's Basketball
The pair of newcomers are latest newcomers to meet with the media
Pronounced Mow-B EE-kay-gah-roo-KAY and ooo-GAH-na ON-yen-so
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore guard Mobi Ikegwuruka and junior center Ugonna Onyenso met with the media on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 3), as the Wildcats continue to build toward the start of the 2024-25 season.
Links to the audio and a transcript of the availability are above.
Ikegwuruka and Onyenso are two of the team's 8 Division I transfers in 2024-25. In all, the Wildcats have 11 newcomers on its 14-man roster with 3 returners in senior David N'Guessan and sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich.
A native of Galway, Ireland, Ikegwuruka earned NJCAA Division II Second Team All-America honors in his redshirt freshman season at Ellsworth Community College, averaging a double-double (19.0 ppg., 10.3 rpg.) in leading the Panthers to a 29-4 record and a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA Division II Championship. He also has extensive international experience, having played for the Irish U16 National Team at the 2019 FIBA European U16 Division B Championships as well as for two club teams in the Czech Republic from 2020-23.
Onyenso transferred to K-State in June after two seasons at Kentucky (2022-24), where he developed into one of the top shot blockers in the SEC. A native of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, played in 40 games with 14 starts, leading the Wildcats to 45 wins and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He made a big leap in development in 2023-24, averaging 3.6 points on 55 percent (33-of-60) shooting with 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game.
The Wildcats finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats' 19 victories were 4 over Top 25 teams, including 3 in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang's first two seasons, including consecutive postseason appearances.
With the unveiling of the new-look 20-game conference schedule, the complete 2024-25 schedule is now available. The Wildcats tip off the season with an exhibition game against Fort Hays State on Tuesday, Oct. 29 before hosting New Orleans in the home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase now to see the Wildcats all year by visiting www.kstatesports.com/tickets or calling (800) 221.CATS.
SOPHOMORE GUARD MOBI IKEGWURUKA
On why he chose K-State…
"Honestly, it's the family part of things, you know what I mean. Like, I've never really fully experienced a true family type of team, you know what I mean. So, I felt like K-State was the right choice, and clearly it was. I mean, I don't come into this gym, there's not one day I come into this gym like, head down, sad because I see everybody happy, smiling, I don't really get that a lot from where I've been. So, coming here definitely changed everything completely."
On the sense of family the team has…
"With the players, first of all, I never expected to click with anybody, honestly. I thought I'd be, you know, kind of like the outsider. But the first two weeks, it was, it was all laughing. I didn't realize it'd be so easy to click with these guys. The coaching staff they're like my parents almost, you know what I mean. Like, it's, you know, it's rare to get that at this level, you know what I mean."
On what fans can expect from him this season…
"For the fans, I think what I'm going to bring to the table would be my energy. I'm very much like of energy type of guy. So, I think, you know, when there's like, a big play or big stop or something, or if I get a big dunk, I know I'm gonna get the crowd go crazy."
On playing at a junior college (Ellsworth Community College) prior to K-State…
"Luckily, I had a great head coach [Bryan Bender], had a great coach at my junior college. So, I don't think, you know, the difference to my junior college and to the rest of the junior college, like we were more, we were a very talented team. So, it wasn't so hard to win games or anything like that, but the grinding came down to the last four or five games. Like, you know, we didn't win it, so of course, it showed, you know."
On how much his athleticism has grown…
"I mean, it's helped a lot. We have great strength and conditioning coach [Phil Baier] over here, so like, seeing where I can get more explosive, you know what I mean, just kind of like, blows my mind a little bit. Because it was, like, jumps so high already, seeing that there's more to it, it's like, okay, you know, there's a whole new level to unlock over here."
JUNIOR CENTER UGONNA ONYENSO
On the advantages having multiple bigs on the court can create…
"It's a pretty good advantage. Because, you know, we long, we can play Coleman [Hawkins], David [N'Guessan] and me, are the three, four and five we're still gonna be really good, you know. So, it's just, you know, like I said, whoever the coach wants to play, that's on the court."
On if the team has blocked any shots in practice…
"I mean, we have, yeah. We have, well, not as much, you know, because everybody knows the plays, and they know when you know I'm gonna help. So is it at the kick the ball out, or, you know, the pump fake, and they usually get me with that. I've been getting some blocked shots here. It's gonna be different when you play against a team that doesn't know what you know how to do, they won't see it coming."
On being one of the better shot blockers in college basketball…
"I take pride in the defense, you know, for me, I feel like the defense wins the game. So, I'm like, whatever I can do to help my team win, that's what I do. And I mean, I trust mine, and I love the fact that my teammates trust me to have their back, you know, when their man drives up for a layup. So, you know, being able to block shot, I'm a different kind of joy, you know, when I pin the ball on the board or, you know, I swat the ball away. So, it's a different kind of feeling and I really love it, so I take pride in it."
On trying to improve on his scoring at K-State…
"I mean, yeah, you know, with the coaching staff, they always tell me I'm not here just for the shot block, you know. Shot block is really good, but you know, they're looking for me, you know, and I've seen it, you know, I've seen it. So, you know, I'm being involved with the plays. You know, the guards are looking for me down low, in the post. So, you know, I'm really looking forward to it , you know, we're gonna drop big numbers this year, big numbers this year."
On being surprised by any of the newcomers on the team…
"We are surprised by ourselves, you know. We know how to do best is pick each other up. Because most times at practice, you know, when me, especially, you know, when I don't make the right play, or, you know, I turn the ball over, I usually get in on myself. So, the one thing we do as a team is, you know, encourage one another, you know, lift each other up. And that's what we do, and that's why we're gonna be a really good team, because, you know, those are the little pieces that most team don't really have, but we, I feel like we have it, you know. Being able to look out for each other, especially on the court, and I'm telling them, like, let's play, so that's a really big thing. So, it's not really, like, it's not a surprise, because everybody's good here, like, this is a D1 program. So, whoever coach gets here is really good, so there's no big surprise, you know, if you doing what you're doing here. So, I mean, it's going to be a big surprise if I shoot a three, I know how to shoot it though."
On already defining roles with each player on the team…
"I mean, everybody has a role. Like you said, everybody has a role. I know, especially in college basketball, there is no main guy in a team you know, do what you know how to do best, just stay on the floor. And that's what keeps people on the floor. If you know, like, don't get out of the thing you know how to do, to do something like to be different, you know. So do what you know how to do it best to help your team win. It's all about basketball is a team game, so, whatever it is like you know how to do best, do it. You know, it goes for the point guard and also for the big guy, so everybody has a goal."
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore guard Mobi Ikegwuruka and junior center Ugonna Onyenso met with the media on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 3), as the Wildcats continue to build toward the start of the 2024-25 season.
Links to the audio and a transcript of the availability are above.
Ikegwuruka and Onyenso are two of the team's 8 Division I transfers in 2024-25. In all, the Wildcats have 11 newcomers on its 14-man roster with 3 returners in senior David N'Guessan and sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich.
A native of Galway, Ireland, Ikegwuruka earned NJCAA Division II Second Team All-America honors in his redshirt freshman season at Ellsworth Community College, averaging a double-double (19.0 ppg., 10.3 rpg.) in leading the Panthers to a 29-4 record and a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA Division II Championship. He also has extensive international experience, having played for the Irish U16 National Team at the 2019 FIBA European U16 Division B Championships as well as for two club teams in the Czech Republic from 2020-23.
Onyenso transferred to K-State in June after two seasons at Kentucky (2022-24), where he developed into one of the top shot blockers in the SEC. A native of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, played in 40 games with 14 starts, leading the Wildcats to 45 wins and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He made a big leap in development in 2023-24, averaging 3.6 points on 55 percent (33-of-60) shooting with 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game.
The Wildcats finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats' 19 victories were 4 over Top 25 teams, including 3 in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang's first two seasons, including consecutive postseason appearances.
With the unveiling of the new-look 20-game conference schedule, the complete 2024-25 schedule is now available. The Wildcats tip off the season with an exhibition game against Fort Hays State on Tuesday, Oct. 29 before hosting New Orleans in the home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase now to see the Wildcats all year by visiting www.kstatesports.com/tickets or calling (800) 221.CATS.
SOPHOMORE GUARD MOBI IKEGWURUKA
On why he chose K-State…
"Honestly, it's the family part of things, you know what I mean. Like, I've never really fully experienced a true family type of team, you know what I mean. So, I felt like K-State was the right choice, and clearly it was. I mean, I don't come into this gym, there's not one day I come into this gym like, head down, sad because I see everybody happy, smiling, I don't really get that a lot from where I've been. So, coming here definitely changed everything completely."
On the sense of family the team has…
"With the players, first of all, I never expected to click with anybody, honestly. I thought I'd be, you know, kind of like the outsider. But the first two weeks, it was, it was all laughing. I didn't realize it'd be so easy to click with these guys. The coaching staff they're like my parents almost, you know what I mean. Like, it's, you know, it's rare to get that at this level, you know what I mean."
On what fans can expect from him this season…
"For the fans, I think what I'm going to bring to the table would be my energy. I'm very much like of energy type of guy. So, I think, you know, when there's like, a big play or big stop or something, or if I get a big dunk, I know I'm gonna get the crowd go crazy."
On playing at a junior college (Ellsworth Community College) prior to K-State…
"Luckily, I had a great head coach [Bryan Bender], had a great coach at my junior college. So, I don't think, you know, the difference to my junior college and to the rest of the junior college, like we were more, we were a very talented team. So, it wasn't so hard to win games or anything like that, but the grinding came down to the last four or five games. Like, you know, we didn't win it, so of course, it showed, you know."
On how much his athleticism has grown…
"I mean, it's helped a lot. We have great strength and conditioning coach [Phil Baier] over here, so like, seeing where I can get more explosive, you know what I mean, just kind of like, blows my mind a little bit. Because it was, like, jumps so high already, seeing that there's more to it, it's like, okay, you know, there's a whole new level to unlock over here."
JUNIOR CENTER UGONNA ONYENSO
On the advantages having multiple bigs on the court can create…
"It's a pretty good advantage. Because, you know, we long, we can play Coleman [Hawkins], David [N'Guessan] and me, are the three, four and five we're still gonna be really good, you know. So, it's just, you know, like I said, whoever the coach wants to play, that's on the court."
On if the team has blocked any shots in practice…
"I mean, we have, yeah. We have, well, not as much, you know, because everybody knows the plays, and they know when you know I'm gonna help. So is it at the kick the ball out, or, you know, the pump fake, and they usually get me with that. I've been getting some blocked shots here. It's gonna be different when you play against a team that doesn't know what you know how to do, they won't see it coming."
On being one of the better shot blockers in college basketball…
"I take pride in the defense, you know, for me, I feel like the defense wins the game. So, I'm like, whatever I can do to help my team win, that's what I do. And I mean, I trust mine, and I love the fact that my teammates trust me to have their back, you know, when their man drives up for a layup. So, you know, being able to block shot, I'm a different kind of joy, you know, when I pin the ball on the board or, you know, I swat the ball away. So, it's a different kind of feeling and I really love it, so I take pride in it."
On trying to improve on his scoring at K-State…
"I mean, yeah, you know, with the coaching staff, they always tell me I'm not here just for the shot block, you know. Shot block is really good, but you know, they're looking for me, you know, and I've seen it, you know, I've seen it. So, you know, I'm being involved with the plays. You know, the guards are looking for me down low, in the post. So, you know, I'm really looking forward to it , you know, we're gonna drop big numbers this year, big numbers this year."
On being surprised by any of the newcomers on the team…
"We are surprised by ourselves, you know. We know how to do best is pick each other up. Because most times at practice, you know, when me, especially, you know, when I don't make the right play, or, you know, I turn the ball over, I usually get in on myself. So, the one thing we do as a team is, you know, encourage one another, you know, lift each other up. And that's what we do, and that's why we're gonna be a really good team, because, you know, those are the little pieces that most team don't really have, but we, I feel like we have it, you know. Being able to look out for each other, especially on the court, and I'm telling them, like, let's play, so that's a really big thing. So, it's not really, like, it's not a surprise, because everybody's good here, like, this is a D1 program. So, whoever coach gets here is really good, so there's no big surprise, you know, if you doing what you're doing here. So, I mean, it's going to be a big surprise if I shoot a three, I know how to shoot it though."
On already defining roles with each player on the team…
"I mean, everybody has a role. Like you said, everybody has a role. I know, especially in college basketball, there is no main guy in a team you know, do what you know how to do best, just stay on the floor. And that's what keeps people on the floor. If you know, like, don't get out of the thing you know how to do, to do something like to be different, you know. So do what you know how to do it best to help your team win. It's all about basketball is a team game, so, whatever it is like you know how to do best, do it. You know, it goes for the point guard and also for the big guy, so everybody has a goal."
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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