Kentucky Basketball Roster Tracker: Oscar Tshiebwe testing NBA Draft waters

Oscar Tshiebwe has entered the NBA Draft, testing the waters before making an official decision after receiving feedback. He becomes the second Wildcat (Antonio Reeves) to maintain his eligibility while testing the waters and the fourth overall to enter — Jacob Toppin and Cason Wallace have signed agents and will turn pro.

Here’s an updated look at where we stand with Kentucky’s 2023-24 roster and what Jack Pilgrim is hearing behind the scenes. Previous intel will be marked as such, with new updates highlighted in red.

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Important Dates/Deadlines

• April 23: NBA Early Entry Deadline
• May 11: Transfer Portal closes (Date by which players must tell their school they’re leaving)
• May 14-21: NBA Draft Combine
• May 31: NCAA “Stay or Go” Deadline
• June 22: 2023 NBA Draft

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LEAVING (Confirmed)

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Jacob Toppin (F, Sr.) – NBA DRAFT – On March 31, Toppin announced he is declaring the NBA Draft and forgoing his eligibility. In his senior season at Kentucky, Toppin moved into a starting role and flourished, doubling his point and rebounding totals. He is not listed on any of the major mock drafts.

• 2022-23 season: 12.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 31.5 MPG
• 2021-22 season: 6.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 17.7 MPG
• 2020-21 season: 5.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 17.1 MPG

Cason Wallace (G, Fr.) – NBA DRAFT – As expected, Cason Wallace announced on April 1 he will enter the draft and stay in. A projected lottery pick, Wallace was hampered by injuries throughout his freshman season, but still shined, especially after assuming the starting point guard role.

• 2022-23 season: 11.7 PPG, 4.3 APG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 32.1 MPG

Sahvir Wheeler (PG, Sr.) – TRANSFER PORTAL – Wheeler entered the transfer portal on March 27, bringing his two-year career in Lexington to an end. Due to injuries, he only played 21 games this season, eventually as a backup to Cason Wallace. John Calipari confirmed that Wheeler wants one more season elsewhere as a fresh start.

• 2022-23 season: 7.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, 2.3 RPG, 28.5 MPG
• 2021-22 season: 10.1 PPG, 6.9 APG, 2.6 RPG, 31.2 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel: Wheeler is currently on campus at Georgia for a visit, setting up a potential return to his first college out of high school. The Bulldogs joined Kansas State, Texas A&M and Baylor as the first schools rumored to have interest, with K-State being the early favorite thanks to a prior connection on the coaching staff in Ulric Maligi. Washington is also interested, with A&M now falling back — the Aggies like Wheeler, but are in search of a backup point guard and understand the 5-foot-9 guard is looking for a starting role.

Ugonna Onyenso (F, Fr.) – TRANSFER PORTAL – Onyenso entered the transfer portal on April 5. He was a late addition to the roster and came to Lexington with the intent of using his freshman year to learn under Oscar Tshiebwe and Kentucky’s other bigs to prepare for the 2023-24 season. Onyenso never really cracked Kentucky’s rotation but when he did play, showed flashes of promise.

• 2022-23 season: 2.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 6.9 MPG

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TESTING

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Antonio Reeves (G, Sr.) – Reeves announced on April 4 he will test the waters of the NBA Draft, leaving open the option to return. In his first season in Lexington, the Illinois State transfer was Kentucky’s second-leading scorer and, by season’s end, carried the Cats offensively on more than one occasion.

• 2022-23 season: 14.4 PPG (41.6% FG, 39.8% 3PT), 2.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 27.9 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel (April 4): Reeves’ decision will come down to money, one that favors a return to Lexington. The senior guard made six figures through NIL this past season, a mark NBA teams do not believe he’ll be able to hit next season should he keep his name in the draft. Scouts are pessimistic Reeves would hear his name called on draft night — or even earn a two-way contract, for that matter, likely having to work his way up from the G-League to earn a shot (and a real paycheck).

The Chicago native is 22 years old and his career clock is ticking, so there’s at least some pressure to strike while the iron is hot. But he enjoyed his first season in Lexington, and if it makes sense financially to return for another year, he’s happy to do it. Barring an unbelievable run of workouts during the draft process, NBA teams expect him back at Kentucky.

Oscar Tshiebwe (C, Sr.) – The reigning national player of the year returned to Kentucky for a senior year, but a preseason knee procedure prevented him from reaching full health until midway through. That said, we still got glimpses of his dominant form, and, of course, huge heart. Although his NBA stock is not high, Oscar was Kentucky’s biggest NIL earner this past season.

• 2022-23 season: 16.5 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 33.5 MPG
• 2021-22 season: 17.4 PPG, 15.1 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 31.9 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel: One of the most dominant players in Kentucky basketball history, Tshiebwe is officially testing the NBA Draft waters. The senior center would like to keep his name in the draft and give his professional career a real shot, but there’s a real chance he goes undrafted, likely earning a two-way contract as a free agent. On the other hand, he made an absurd amount of money through NIL this past season in Lexington — we’re talking several million — and he’d be leaving quite a bit on the table by forgoing his final year of eligibility. Those around him have considered the possibility of hitting the portal to see what could be out there elsewhere, as it’s not often one of college basketball’s biggest rockstars becomes available. Maybe another hungry school with a ravenous fanbase gets Tshiebwe a significant NIL guarantee.

Or he could return to Kentucky for one final season, taking another stab at a March Madness one while also taking advantage of the financial benefits of being a fan favorite through NIL — even if he’ll have more sharing to do with the program’s top-ranked recruiting class coming in.

Kentucky is not interested in a bidding war and will not make any financial guarantees — especially astronomic ones — to anyone on the current roster or those interested in joining the program. The ongoing NIL results speak for themselves, creating opportunities the legal way. Tshiebwe will have to decide what’s best for his future. He could be ready for a fresh start and prefer the pro route, but the college money may be too good to pass up. If it comes down to meeting demands, though, he’ll have to find those elsewhere.

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STAYING (Confirmed)

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Brennan Canada (G, Sr.) – Canada announced on March 30 he will use the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility for COVID relief to return for a super-senior season. After three and a half seasons as a walk-on, the Mt. Sterling (KY) native earned a scholarship from John Calipari in January 2023. He provides invaluable leadership as a teammate in practice and off the court.

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STAYING (Expected)

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Lance Ware (F, Jr.) – Ware continues to play a reserve role as Kentucky’s enforcer and was named a team captain alongside Jacob Toppin in the postseason. A leader in the locker room, Ware could reunite with his former Camden teammate DJ Wagner if he stays in Lexington for another year.

• 2022-23 season: 2.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 9.9 MPG
• 2021-22 season: 1.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 6.3 MPG
• 2020-21 season: 2.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 12.1 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel (April 4): No indications that Ware is considering a change of scenery.

Adou Thiero (G, Fr.) – Thiero is the son of Almamy Thiero, who played for John Calipari at Memphis (2002-05). A late bloomer, the four-star prospect caught Calipari’s eye in March 2022 and committed to Kentucky in May. Thiero played sparingly this season but was thrust into a featured role late in the year due to injuries in the backcourt. It’s assumed he will return to Kentucky for a sophomore season, but nothing has been announced.

• 2022-23 season: 2.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 APG, 9.7 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel: The freshman guard’s father, Almamy Thiero, tells KSR his son is expected to return to Kentucky for his sophomore campaign.

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COMING IN

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Aaron Bradshaw (C, HS) – Bradshaw committed to Kentucky during his visit to Big Blue Madness in October 2022. The versatile 7-footer is teammates with fellow future Cat DJ Wagner and showed off some impressive shooting skills in practices at the McDonald’s All-American Game, which could back up his comments that John Calipari plans to use him at the three-position at Kentucky.

• 2022-23 season (HS): 12.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG

Robert Dillingham (CG, OTE) – Dillingham is taking a different path to Lexington than his fellow freshmen. The five-star combo guard left Kanye West’s Donda Academy for Overtime Elite in November 2022. As such, he wasn’t eligible to play in the all-star circuit with the rest of the signees.

• 2022-23 season (OTE): 14.7 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG

Justin Edwards (SF, HS) – Edwards chose Kentucky over rival Tennessee last July. The crafty wing led Imhotep Charter to its second straight state championship. He is the highest-ranked member of Kentucky’s 2023 class per the On3 Industry Ratings and hasn’t shied away from high expectations for next year’s team, telling reporters at the McDonald’s All-American Game that the incoming freshmen believe they can lead the Cats to a title.

• 2022-23 season (HS): 17.9 PPG (57.8% FG, 34.1% 3PT), 7.5 RPG

Reed Sheppard (CG, HS) – The North Laurel star and son of former Kentucky Basketball greats Jeff and Stacey Sheppard became the program’s first 2023 commit in November 2021. Since then, he led North Laurel to two straight Boys’ Sweet 16s and made the all-star circuit. A skilled combo guard, Sheppard can score at all three levels and seems ready to follow in his parents’ footsteps in Lexington.

• 2022-23 season (HS): 22.1 PPG (48.6% FG, 39.3% 3PT), 8.5 RPG

DJ Wagner (CG, HS) – Wagner was the final commit of the 2023 class, but was the first John Calipari pursued. Calipari coached Wagner’s father Dajuan Sr. at Memphis in 2001-02 and remains close with the family. Those ties and Kentucky’s stature helped the Cats hold off a push from Kenny Payne and Louisville, which hired DJ’s grandfather Milt to the staff in an advisory role. Wagner won East Team MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 28.

• 2022-23 season (HS): 22.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.9 APG

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UNKNOWN

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CJ Fredrick (G, R. Sr.) – After missing the 2021-22 season with a left hamstring injury, Fredrick battled injuries throughout the 2022-23 season too. The former Iowa transfer appeared in 27 games this season, missing time due to a dislocated finger and cracked ribs. For Fredrick, the decision is whether to hang it up or use the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility in hopes of one full, healthy season at Kentucky.

• 2022-23 season: 6.1 PPG (35.1% FG, 31.8% 3PT), 1.5 APG, 22.2 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel: Fredrick openly discussed the possibility of him retiring from basketball following Kentucky’s loss to Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament. He’s dealt with both serious and nagging injuries over the course of his career, keeping him off the floor far more often than he’d like. The wear-and-tear has been hard on the senior guard, and it’s why hanging up his uniform for good is on the table. That being said, Fredrick is ultra-competitive and the possibility of having his first injury-free offseason where he can focus on training rather than rehab is an intriguing one.

He’s taken some time away to clear his mind and consider his options, but there’s a growing expectation that he’ll likely suit up again. Where will that be? He could decide to hit the portal again — a long list of interested suitors would be waiting — or even turn pro and play overseas, but those around the program believe a return to Kentucky is the likely path.

Daimion Collins (F, So.) – Collins was primed for a breakout sophomore season before life stepped in the way. In early November, Collins’ father, Ben, unexpectedly passed away while visiting his son in Lexington. After taking some time with his family, Collins returned to the team and slowly worked his way into the rotation.

• 2022-23 season: 1.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.4 BPG, 7.9 MPG
• 2021-22 season: 2.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.7 BPG, 7.5 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel: Though he’s developed a strong support system in Lexington, the expectation remains that Collins will ultimately decide to enter the portal and transfer closer to home in Texas. If it were a basketball decision alone, he wouldn’t think twice about a return to Kentucky, but this is bigger than basketball and the sophomore forward has to put his family first. A move home puts him in a better position to do that.

Chris Livingston (F, Fr.) – Livingston’s development was one of the storylines of the second half of the season. The five-star freshman hit his stride in February, playing at least 32 minutes in 11 straight games to finish the season and scoring in double figures in five of those contests. By season’s end, he was one of the key pieces of Kentucky’s lineup and could be again next year.

• 2022-23 season: 6.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.7 APG, 22.4 MPG

Pilgrim’s Intel (April 4): Kentucky is recruiting Livingston back to school, but NBA teams believe the freshman forward is set on keeping his name in the draft after testing the waters. The hope is Klutch — led by the pull of superagent Rich Paul — can convince a contender to take him at the end of the first round or find a promising guaranteed deal in the second. If a realistic draft path doesn’t present itself, the transfer portal has been discussed, looking to find a new home that helps catapult Livingston back to lottery status next draft cycle.

The Wildcats are fighting, looking to convince the former five-star recruit and his camp that he can accomplish that in Lexington next season. He produced to close out the season, and the hope is he can build on that momentum going into his sophomore campaign and explode in year two. Those around the NBA and other basketball circles, though, are skeptical that Livingston ever plays another game at Kentucky.

It should be noted, though, that outside noise isn’t new for the Akron native. He made the difficult choice to transfer to national powerhouse Oak Hill for his senior year in high school after putting up other-worldly numbers against lesser competition back home. Then he signed with Kentucky over other options willing to make him the star of the show from day one. There was internal pushback with both decisions, but he ultimately made both moves on his own.

The expectation is he bets on himself and turns pro this go-round, but the process is ongoing. It’ll start with an announcement to test the waters and receive feedback from NBA teams.