Oscar Tshiebwe on finally making it to Kentucky, his dream school

It took a few extra years, but Oscar Tshiebwe finally made it to his dream school. In his first Zoom with the UK media, Big O opened up about his decision to transfer from West Virginia to Kentucky, the school he originally want to attend coming out of high school.

“I wanted to be a one-and-done in high school. I chose West Virginia over Kentucky, but Kentucky was my favorite school and my dream school since my freshman year of high school. I ended up choosing West Virginia, but look what God did. He brought me to the place I always prayed to Him to be. I’m so happy to be here and I know I’ve wanted to be a one-and-done since my freshman year, but it’s not… The way God does things, it’s different than the way we do things. All we need to do is wait.”

Tshiebwe, originally from Congo, played high school basketball at Kennedy Catholic in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. His host family also housed former West Virginia center Sagaba Konate, adding to the pressure to pick the Mountaineers. Even though Kentucky was high on Tshiebwe’s list, he ultimately went with West Virginia, committing on October 20, 2018. John Calipari still called to wish him well.

“My relationship with [Calipari] has been great since high school,” Tshiebwe told KSR. “Even when I decided to choose West Virginia over Kentucky, he called me and said, ‘I’m proud of you, you’ve got to go where you’re going to make you comfortable. One thing I’ll tell you, just keep working. There will be nothing easy in life wherever you go.’ Our relationship has been great.”

Tshiebwe’s freshman year at West Virginia was productive, numbers wise. He averaged 11.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in 31 starts, led the nation in offensive rebounding percentage (19%), and was named to the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team. He led the Mountaineers in scoring and rebounding and also took care of business in the classroom, making the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Yet, something still wasn’t right. Ten games in to his sophomore season and heading into Christmas break, he knew it was time for a change.

“I always wanted to play for Kentucky, it was my dream school. Why didn’t I change my mind? I’m at West Virginia now. I felt like I wasn’t happy anymore and everything was not good. I wasn’t laughing, I wasn’t enjoying my time anymore. That’s why I said, “No, it’s time (to leave). This is what I prayed for.” I prayed a lot because I wanted God to help me in this situation. A lot of people told me I was going to ruin my life, but that’s why you can’t listen to what people say. You can only listen to what God is saying.”

Immediately one of the best transfers on the market, Tshiebwe had plenty of suitors; however, there was really only one coach from which he wanted to hear.

“After I decided to leave and I had everybody in the country call me and tell me how much they’re going to help me and get me to the league, I said, ‘No, I want to hear from Coach Cal.’ I saw the team wasn’t doing very good and I was hoping I could come straight in and help the team (immediately), but I couldn’t. So I just said, ‘I can still practice and be ready for next year.’ I’m so happy to be here.”

Even though he had to sit on the bench for his first months as a Wildcat, patience is a virtue Tshiebwe’s father instilled in him from an early age.

“In life, my dad used to tell me, ‘You have to be patient. Sometimes you’re planning stuff, but God is planning something else for you.’ That’s why we need to be patient and trust God in every situation we go through, work hard and never give up.”