Badgers Add Rim-Protecting Big Man for Second Transfer Portal Addition

Wisconsin basketball’s roster reload is full steam ahead.

Just two days after landing their first transfer portal addition in former George Washington guard Trey Autry, the Badgers added their second portal player with a commitment from former Hofstra forward Victory Onuetu.

The 6-foot-10 center with a 7-foot-3 wingspan will have one more year of eligibility remaining in Madison. Last season at Hofstra, the Spanish-born Onuetu averaged 4.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 57 percent from the field.

Advertisement

On paper, this doesn’t look like a huge, needle-moving addition for head coach Greg Gard and his staff. But take a closer look, and Onuetu checks a lof of crucial boxes for Wisconsin.

“He’s an extremely talented, athletic front line player that gives us excellent rim protection in transition, lob threats in the half court, shot blocking capability and relentless rebounding,” Gard said in a statement.

Former Hofstra Pride forward Victory Onuetu dunks against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Taylor Bol Bowen. | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

With his size and length, Onuetu’s rebounding and shot-blocking are the most prevalent parts of his game. Before the transfer portal opened, it was clear that rim protection was the Badgers’ top need in terms of a singular skill.

Advertisement

Wisconsin finished 224th in the nation in defensive block percentage, according to KenPom, and didn’t have a forward that you could count on to routinely swat shots at the rim.

Not only did Onuetu have 11 games with multiple blocked shots, he had some big-time highlights in that category, perhaps none better than this emphatic denial of Syracuse’s Kian Anthony to secure an upset victory:

Onuetu also had 17 games with at least seven rebounds at Hofstra. He’s productive on the glass, but he’s also active everywhere. The lanky center is a quite mobile and he’s a ball of activity on the defensive end:

How does Oneutu fit at Wisconsin?

If all goes according to plan for the Badgers, Oneutu won’t…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/badgers-add-rim-protecting-big-185100058.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-04-18 18:51:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.