Oscar Tshiebwe Plans to Turn Pro, Will Not Return to Kentucky
On the day of the 2023 NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, Kentucky star big man Oscar Tshiebwe has announced he will keep his name in the draft. As such, the 2022 National Player of the Year will forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.
Last season, Tshiebwe averaged 16.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 56.0% from the field. He received consensus All-American honors for the second consecutive season. Kentucky Basketball finished 22-10 (12-6 SEC) and received a 6-seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. John Calipari’s squad defeated No. 11 Providence in the Round of 64 before falling to No. 3 Kansas State in the Round of 32, 75-69. Tshiebwe registered 25 points and 18 rebounds in the loss.
The news adds to what has been a hectic offseason for Kentucky Basketball. Coach Cal has the No. 1 2023 recruiting class, comprised of four five-stars and a four-star. However, the Wildcats have lost a combined eight players to the transfer portal and the NBA Draft. Antonio Reeves withdrew from the 2023 NBA Draft, but he has not committed to return to Lexington. Kentucky has just seven scholarship players entering the 2023-24 season and will need to make some moves in the portal over the summer. Reeves is currently the only player on the Kentucky roster to have been brought in via transfer over the 2022 and 2023 offseasons.
Oscar Tshiebwe is projected to be selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Although he likely will not provide any scoring punch in the professional ranks, Tshiebwe’s high motor and elite rebounding are what will allow him to stick.
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