Virginia Tech’s Tobi Lawal and Virginia’s Ugonna Onyenso heard their names called during the second round of the NBA draft on Wednesday night.
Lawal, the Hokies’ leading rebounder the last two seasons, was taken 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks. Onyenso, a shot-blocking menace for UVA, was selected 53rd overall by the Houston Rockets, but will reportedly end up with the Detroit Pistons after a trade to the New York Knicks.
Sources: The Knicks traded No. 53 Ugonna Onyenso to the Detroit Pistons for cash.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Lawal, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward from England, started his college career at VCU before transferring to Virginia Tech. He averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game as a senior last season.
Onyenso, a 6-11, 237-pounder from Nigeria, played two seasons at Kentucky before transferring to Kansas State and then UVA. As a senior for the Cavaliers last season, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.
Onyenso was an ACC All-Defensive Team pick and a first-team All-ACC Tournament selection after setting a conference tournament record with 21 blocked shots in three games.
Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel, who left East Rockingham High as the the Virginia High School League’s all-time leading scorer, was taken by the New York Knicks with the 47th overall pick. Nickel, 6-8 and 217 pounds, played a season each at North Carolina and Virginia Tech before playing two seasons at Vandy. As a senior he averaged 13.5 points and 3.3 rebounds and ranked second in the SEC in 3-pointers made.