Norchad Omier cuts list to four, does not include Kentucky

Looking for more optimism regarding Oscar Tshiebwe’s potential return to Kentucky? The Wildcats are no longer in the running for Arkansas State star transfer Norchad Omier.

Previously pursuing the Sun Belt Player of the Year — Kentucky was among the first schools to express interest — Omier is now down to four schools, with Miami (FL), Georgetown, Texas Tech and Florida State making the final cut. The 6-foot-7, 232-pound forward will visit all four schools before making a final decision.

8 Deportivo out of Nicaragua was the first to report the news.

Estas son las cuatro universidades que visitará el blufileño @NorchadO para luego tomar una decisión final de cara a su continuación en la @NCAA, Miami, Georgetown Hoyas, Texas Tech University y Florida State University. #Baloncesto #NCAA #8DeportivoTN8 pic.twitter.com/KYcikgxaEB

— 8DeportivoTN8 (@8DeportivoTN8) April 14, 2022

Omier, a native of Bluefields, Nicaragua, was named a Lou Henson Award finalist after averaging 17.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.6 steals in 28.9 minutes per contest in 2021-22. He also earned conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in his second year at Arkansas State.

The standout big man decided to enter the transfer portal on March 30, with Kentucky getting involved shortly after. UK’s staff met virtually with Omier, with John Calipari, Chin Coleman, Jai Lucas, Bruiser Flint and Assistant Video Director Andrew Ortelli all on the call.

https://t.co/dbR0yjOOtV pic.twitter.com/GFVUeSS7oT

— Kentucky Sports Talk (@KentuckyZone) April 7, 2022

Shortly after hitting the portal, Kentucky appeared to be an early favorite for the 6-foot-7 forward. From there, though, the buzz died down considerably. The same can be said about UK’s momentum with the likes of Utah Valley transfer Fardaws Aimaq and Morehead State transfer Johni Broome — initial contact, but not much beyond the early stages.

The drop-off goes hand in hand with growing buzz regarding Oscar Tshiebwe and his upcoming draft decision. As talk of a likely return for Tshiebwe ramped up, talk of adding other bigs out of the transfer portal came to a screeching halt.

Add in the fact that Tshiebwe said this week that a final decision is coming “very soon,” and it doesn’t feel like much of a coincidence.

“A decision is coming very soon from the big guy upstairs, God,” Tshiebwe said Tuesday. “I’ve been praying and getting closer to a conclusion. I’m going to keep praying these next couple of days. I don’t know when, but it’s coming soon.”

Things are trending in the right direction.