Buzz building for Oscar Tshiebwe's return to Kentucky

Here’s something to make this rainy Monday a little better: it’s looking more and more like Oscar Tshiebwe will return to Kentucky for another season. On this morning’s Kentucky Sports Radio, Matt Jones said he’s hearing the issues with Oscar’s name, image, likeness (NIL) and student visa have been worked out and it’s very likely he will come back to Kentucky instead of staying in the NBA Draft.

“I feel very, very good he’ll be back. I think it got worked out, the situation, but I think even more importantly, a couple — and I can’t say specifics on this — but a couple of major potential deals have been worked out for him that would make it worth his while to stay. He might still do the [NBA Draft evaluation] process. I think if he were guaranteed to be a first-round pick, I think he’d leave. So, let me be clear. If a first-round team were to say, we’re guaranteed to pick you, he’ll go. But I don’t think that’s going to happen so because I don’t think that’s going to happen, I’m now at 95% he plays here next year.”

Our own Jack Pilgrim is also hearing renewed optimism regarding Oscar’s potential return started spreading late last week and the school believes the most significant hurdles regarding NIL have been cleared. The staff is staying in touch with potential transfer portal targets in the frontcourt but is holding off on making any serious pushes as the work continues with Oscar. Furthering all of that promising buzz is this tweet from recruiting guru Andrew Slater hinting at Oscar’s return:

There will be a song and dance, but you should expect the defending National POY to return to the Commonwealth. He’s more impactful than any incoming recruit. https://t.co/xkaYg1mD0U

— 𝒜𝓃𝒹𝓇ℯ𝓌 𝒮𝓁𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓇 (@Andrew__Slater) April 11, 2022

Final decision expected in coming weeks

Finally, if you missed the news earlier, Oscar told LEX18 yesterday that he’s a “week or two” away from announcing his decision.

“God is going to answer me soon,” Tshiebwe told LEX-18. “Because he has great plans for me and everybody’s going to know what is my next move soon.”

Obviously, having Oscar back would be huge for a variety of reasons, the first being he is the national player of the year. Oscar led Kentucky in scoring (17.4 PPG), rebounding (15.1 RPG), steals (1.8 SPG), and blocks (1.6 BPG). You can’t ask for anyone better to build a team around. It would also be a huge win for John Calipari. Oscar is one of the biggest fan favorites in Kentucky Basketball history. After an incredibly disappointing end to the season, simply having him back will keep most fans tuned in and engaged. Oscar breaking down after the Saint Peter’s loss was heartbreaking; now, imagine him holding up the national championship trophy in Houston.

Are we at the point where we can dream of stuff like that again? Oscar’s return is a good start. Check out all of Matt’s comments about Oscar from today’s show below.