Oscar is going to return for his senior season at the University of Kentucky. (1:18)
Oscar Tshiebwe, the consensus National Player of the Year, is returning to Kentucky for another season.
He made his announcement on SportsCenter, saying that he came to a decision last week and will look to improve his NBA draft stock. He is the first Wooden Award winner since Tyler Hansbrough to return to college.
While name-image-likeness legislation will play a major factor in borderline first-round prospects opting to return to school rather than entering the NBA draft, Tshiebwe's status as a foreign student had posed some issues in his ability to earn money. He is expected to be able to make NIL money in the future.
As a student with an F1 visa, I can't even talk about it.
He was the first Kentucky player to win the Wooden Award since Anthony Davis in 2012. He was a consensus first-team All-American and won a number of awards.
He transferred to Kentucky midway through the 2020-21 after a season and a half at West Virginia. He had 17 points and 20 rebound in the season opener against Duke, setting the stage for a productive season.
He had 28 double-doubles, including 16 straight to end the season, and averaged 17.4 points and 15.3 rebound.
Kentucky coach John Calipari said last month that the things that he has done haven't been done for 50 years. He finds ways to make a difference in every game. I am proud of him, and it goes beyond the court. He is a joy to coach because he is so thankful and faith-based.
Kentucky earned a 2-seed in the NCAA tournament. The campaign ended early, with a loss to Saint Peter's in the first round of the tournament. It wasn't enough for Tshiebwe to have 30 points and 16 rebound against the Peacocks.
He said that it was not how he wanted it to end.
Kentucky should open the season as a Final Four favorite because of the return of Tshiebwe, the addition of five-star recruits Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace, and the potential return of starter Keion Brooks.
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