Oscar Tshiebwe explains his love for Kentucky and plans to live on a farm

As you can imagine, Oscar Tshiebwe was a popular man at Kentucky Basketball Media Day in Lexington. College basketball’s reigning National Player of the Year and Preseason All-American drew a swarm of reporters when Kentucky’s team broke out for player interviews, surrounding the media-friendly superstar with news cameras, audio recorders and iPhones, and questions about his second season as a Wildcat.

Media Day begins with a crowd around @Oscartshiebwe34 pic.twitter.com/jLn7H2Yrh2

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) October 25, 2022

Given his recent knee procedure and Blue-White absence, Tshiebwe’s current recovery timeline was a popular topic. He answered, several times, that he is feeling much better and will “absolutely” be on the court when Kentucky opens the regular season on November 7 against Howard.

“I don’t think I will miss any games,” he said.

So that’s good news.

Other matters Tshiebwe addressed at length include his faith, a second try at winning Kentucky’s ninth national championship, his practice battles with Ugonna Onyenso, NBA player comparisons, and life as maybe the most beloved person in the Bluegrass.

As proof of the latter, Tshiebwe was his usual jovial self under the bright lights at Media Day, still glowing and grinning from ear to ear as he welcomed more conversation about Kentucky Basketball, his own goals, and his teammates. For Media Day, Tshiebwe’s cheerful, outgoing personality is very unique for a student-athlete pestered by interviewers carouseling around the gym, each taking a turn with the same line of questioning. It’s not meant to be so much fun, but Tshiebwe was all smiles.

Seeing his excitement to represent Kentucky Basketball, I asked Oscar, “Why do you love Kentucky so much?”

He replied, “I feel like I’m home. I feel like I’m home every time I’m in this place. I feel like I’m home. I even told my mom, I said, listen, I’m not leaving Kentucky. I’m gonna live in Kentucky. I love farms. I’m going to live in Kentucky one day at a farm. Because this place, people love me a lot. And I love them.”

Asked why he is loved so much, Tshiebwe said, “Love, the Bible says you’re gonna get what you give so make sure you give something good. Because whenever it’s gonna come back to you, it will be good and gonna be multiplying and you’re gonna receive good. It’s what I do.”

Sometimes his love for the fans collides with his team obligations or postgame routine; for instance, many times last season he had to be pulled away from the stands after games, where lines formed for autographs and selfies before Tshiebwe could exit the court. Then there are the business minds who have offered to organize autograph signings as money-making opportunities and suggested he gives away too many signatures for free.

“I tell them, sometimes it’s not about money. Sometimes it’s about love. Love is more than money,” Tshiebwe said.

“When you do things for love, God will pay you back. That’s why good things are happening in my life; it’s not the fans that are doing it, but God is doing it because what I’ve been giving, so that’s why I take the time for fans. I do whatever they want me (to do)… I love fans, especially little kids. I just do anything for them. Soon I’m gonna start teaching them about God. Bring all those kids! I’m going to teach them about God. That’s what I love and what I want to do.”

Save one farm for Oscar

More on that retirement farm because I had to ask.

Tshiebwe has no prior farming experience, he admitted, but one day hopes there will be a farm for sale for his Bluegrass retirement. He told KSR, “I tell people, like, I’ll come back here and buy a farm and I’ll live in a farm here in Kentucky so I’ll be close to my beautiful people God has put around me.

“Make sure you tell all those people, don’t sell all of the farms. They gotta save one for me.”

You hear that, farm owners? Leave one available for Oscar when he’s ready.