John Calipari already making pitch to get Oscar Tshiebwe back beyond 2022-23 season

There’s no doubt that Oscar Tshiebwe’s decision to return to Kentucky for the 2022-23 season was a big one for Wildcats coach John Calipari, who yet again has them ranked in the top five of the preseason AP poll.

Tshiebwe claimed both the Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year awards this past season after leading the country with 15.2 rebounds per game in addition to 17.4 points. The Kentucky center is the first Wooden Award winner to return to school the following season since Tyler Hansbrough did so at North Carolina in 2008.

But before Tshiebwe has even played a game in 2022-23, Calipari is already making plans to bring him back for a third season in Lexington. Asked about his star’s return in a recent press conference, Calipari cut the question off before it could be finished with an interesting comment.

“I’m trying to get him to come back next year, too, but go ahead,” he said.

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According to John Calipari, Oscar Tshiebwe’s decision was based on two factors: NIL and his NBA Draft projection. He was predicted to fall anywhere between the late-first to mid-second rounds, and was not satisfied with that. However, he likely still would have made the jump if not for the new opportunities created by NIL.

“Well, the issue became where was he projected to be drafted, and that’s part of the reason, and NIL, which I’ve said to all you guys, the NIL will keep kids in school that would have left,” Calipari said. “That’s what’s happened in men’s basketball. With him, if that didn’t happen, he would have gone. If he would have been drafted or projected in a better position, he’d have been gone.”

NIL deals have been coming in steadily for Tshiebwe this offseason, and he most recently inked a partnership with Donato’s Pizza. He has an NIL Valuation of $916,000 according to On3, ranking him third among all college basketball players.

Tshiebwe has also increased his focus on the court, impressing NBA scouts at Kentucky’s pro day with the improvements he has made.

“Now it’s our chance for him to say, all right, you came back, you’ve got to be better as a basketball player,” Calipari said. “We know you rebound — you’ve got to be able to guard multiple positions. You’ve got to be able to pass and dribble. You’ve got to be a better basketball player. We had pro day, and everyone left saying he’s way better than he was. Like he’s way better as a player than he was. That’s why you come back.”

The Wildcats will open the regular season on Nov. 7 against Howard at Rupp Arena.