Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe makes decision on NBA future

Kentucky Wildcats center Oscar Tshiebwe will be returning to Lexington for the 2022-2023 season, he announced on SportsCenter on Wednesday afternoon. The 2022 NBA Draft was a possibility as well. Now, one of the best players in the country from last season will be back on the roster for head coach John Calipari.

Tshiebwe began his collegiate career at West Virginia, leaving the program in the middle of the 2020-2021 season. After having a national recruitment, he transferred to Kentucky with high expectations and met them in a big way.

Unanimously won the John Wooden Award this past season, Tshiebwe earned the highest individual honor somebody in college basketball can win. The center was dominant on a weekly basis, averaging a well above a double-double. Leading Kentucky in scoring, Tshiebwe average 17.1 points a game while also leading the nation in rebounding with 15.1 per game.

I’M BACK 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/mYgpDJredq

— Big O (@Oscartshiebwe34) April 20, 2022

Tshiebwe announced a new merchandise line after winning the John Wooden Award as well, looking to cash in on NIL. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and even a mug with his name and face on it are available to the public, he announced via his Twitter account.

With the return of Tshiebwe, Kentucky will be looking to improve their performances from last season. Not winning any hardware within the SEC, an early NCAA Tournament came at the hands of the Saint Peter’s Peacocks in the Round of 64. After missing last year’s edition of March Madness, it’s the first time under Calipari the Wildcats have not advanced over a two-year stretch.

Kentucky will be adding some talent in their 2022 recruiting class to build around Tshiebwe. On3 Consensus five-star point guard Cason Wallace and five-star small forward Chris Livingston have both signed their national letter of intent and will be with the program this summer. Calipari will surely work within the transfer portal as well, something he has done well over the past few years.

With Tshiebwe announcing his return, attention will now be switched to another NBA Draft decision within the Kentucky program with point guard Shaedon Sharpe. Conflicting reports have emerged on whether or not the former On3 Consensus five-star shooting guard would be leaving but a decision deadline is nearing.

Even if Sharpe does not stay, the Wildcats will have Tshiebwe to play through next season. He could be the favorite to win back-to-back Wooden Awards, especially if the double-double average continues. Of course, better results in the NCAA Tournament will be the ultimate goal as Kentucky looks to add another banner to Rupp Arena’s rafters.