How Virginia basketball plans to replace Ugonna Onyenso in 2026

It's going to be hard for Ryan Odom and Co., but UVA has some intriguing players who could step in to help replace Onyenso's defensive production from last season.

Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) goes to the basket against Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) during the men's ACC Conference Tournament Championship at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Virginia basketball fans were extremely happy to see the Detroit Pistons select Cavaliers C Ugonna Onyenso in the 2nd round of the 2026 NBA Draft last night. Still, his absence leaves everyone wondering how the team can replace him next season, especially on the defensive side of the court.

Luckily for UVA, they've done a good job with high school recruiting, adding blue-chip players like PF Silas Barksdale and C Favour Ibe in the 2025 and 2026 classes. The team also added veteran PF Kalu Anya via the transfer portal this offseason.

Hard player to replace

Though Onyenso's 2.9 blocks per game average is going to be incredibly hard to replace, redshirt freshman Silas Barksdale probably has the best chance to do it. He was basically the "Ugonna Onyenso" of high school basketball when he came out, averaging 4 blocks per game as a senior in 2024/2025.

He's not as big as Ugo (6'9", 225 lbs.), but he's incredibly physical and refuses to be pushed around in the paint. Barksdale has looked good in practice as well, showing off his skills as an offensive rebounder and as a surprisingly good mid-range shooter.

He could see time at both power forward and center next season for UVA.

Few would even consider a redshirt year in college basketball these days.

Former top-100 recruit Silas Barksdale did just that at UVA this past season with coaches and teammates saying the 6'9 forward took full advantage: https://t.co/irNEnOlzj9 pic.twitter.com/uuD8Xr1as5

— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) April 13, 2026

Another player the coaching staff could use right away, despite being fairly raw, is true freshman Favour Ibe from the famous Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland. At 7'1", 240 Lbs., he certainly has the size to affect the shot inside, and he moves around very well for a player of his stature.

He could see 10-15 MPG off the bench in certain matchups, but it might be hard for Ryan Odom to trust a true freshman against some of the better teams in the ACC in 2026/2027. The potential for him to breakout this summer is still there, though, and maybe he'll play a lot more than projected in year one behind Johan Grünloh.

The final player who could be in the running to replace Onyenso next season is incoming transfer Kalu Anya from Saint Louis. He brings strength and above-average rebounding ability to the Cavaliers' frontcourt. Anya redshirted for the Bilikens last season, but he was a full-time starter in the 2024/2025 season, leading the team in rebounds with 7.5 per game.

He's slightly undersized at 6'8", 225 lbs., but he's a great athlete, and his experience will be his best attribute for Virginia next season. Anya led Brown to the Ivy League Championship game before transferring to Saint Louis in 2024, so he at the very least has the potential to be an effective rotational member of the Cavaliers' frontcourt right away in 2026/2027.

As mentioned earlier, replacing Ugonna Onyenso is going to be tough, but this trio of big men should be able to replicate at least some of what Ugo did last year.