Oscar Tshiebwe works out for Indiana Pacers

The NBA Draft is a week from Thursday, and one of Kentucky’s four potential pros is still working out for teams. Oscar Tshiebwe was in Indianapolis yesterday to work out for the Indiana Pacers, who have five picks (Nos. 7, 26, 29, 32, 55) in next week’s draft. After the workout was over, he sat down with the Pacers’ Wheat Hotchkiss to discuss the draft process.

“I’m going to keep learning,” Oscar said. “This process has helped me a lot because every team I’ve been through, they’re teaching me a lot of different things. I’m writing down, writing down, writing down. And I’m getting better.”

Oscar isn’t included in most major mock drafts and is ranked as the No. 65 prospect by ESPN. There is a very real possibility he will not be drafted next week. That said, the 2022 National Player of the Year is maintaining a positive attitude.

“I believe there will be a team that is going to really need me (to) help them,” Tshiebwe said. “…I fight for rebounds, I outrun everybody, I fight for position to help my team win.”

“Even if my name (isn’t) called, I will still trust God because I know he’s going to have better plans,” Tshiebwe said. “I believe I’ll be in the NBA and I’ll help a team to win a championship one day.”

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Support from John Calipari

Oscar decided to pursue his NBA Draft dreams at the expense of another season at Kentucky. He averaged 16.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in his second year in Lexington and fourth overall at the collegiate level. Oscar’s first year at Kentucky was one of the most dominant in recent memory both at the school and in the sport overall. He averaged 17.4 points, 15.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per contest before sweeping player of the year honors.

Oscar discussed his time in Lexington fondly with Hotchkiss, insisting that John Calipari is in his corner working the phones to help find him an NBA home.

“Coach Calipari is talking to all these teams, ‘Y’all got to get Oscar, y’all got to get Oscar, y’all got to get Oscar. That kid works harder than anybody else. That kid will do (more) extra things than anybody else.'”

In an earlier scrum with reporters, Oscar said he’s had about ten workouts with teams thus far. Here are the ones that we know of:

• Boston Celtics (No. 35)
• Houston Rockets (No. 4, No. 20)
• Milwaukee Bucks (No. 58)
• Sacramento Kings (No. 24, No. 38, No. 54)
• Atlanta Hawks (No. 15, No. 46)
• Los Angeles Lakers (No. 17, No. 47)
• Washington Wizards (No. 8, No. 42, No. 57)
• Brooklyn Nets (No. 21, No. 22, No. 51)
• Indiana Pacers (No. 7, No. 26, No. 29, No. 32, No. 55)

Check out the complete interview with Oscar below, along with some highlights of his workout. Indiana would be a pretty sweet landing spot for Cats fans who want to make the short drive to Indy to see him play.