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Oscar Tshiebwe Addresses Transfer Rumors, Says “Kentucky is My Home”

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Oscar Thsiebwe celebrating with Kentucky basketball fans at Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

It is mid-May and Kentucky’s basketball roster has yet to be finalized. One reason for that is the wait for Chris Livingston and Oscar Tshiebwe to make their final decisions, as they are currently participating in the NBA Draft combine and awaiting final feedback from teams.

For Livingston, the transfer portal deadline has passed. Therefore, it is either a return to Kentucky or remain in the NBA Draft for him, with the consensus being that he will remain in the draft despite concerns from NBA scouts.

For Tshiebwe, he too has the option to return to Kentucky or remain in the NBA Draft. However, after graduating from Kentucky in early May, Tshiebwe also has the option to transfer as a graduate transfer if he wishes. While the transfer portal closed back on May 11th for undergrad students, graduates can transfer at any time and that has been rumored to be a possibility for Tshiebwe should he decide to return to college.

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Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader asked Tshiebwe about the possibility, to which he answered, “That is not an option.”

“I will never transfer. Kentucky’s my home. If there’s a chance to go professional, I’ll go pro. If there’s a chance to not go professional, I will go back to Kentucky. I’ve never even thought about going (another) place. Kentucky is my home. It’s a dream place. I can’t leave my home. That’s my place, forever.”

Prior to this week’s NBA Draft combine, Tshiewbe was pretty clearly on the outside looking in, with no outlet projecting him to be selected in their mock drafts. To add, only ESPN had him ranked on their big board, ranking 64th overall.

With that said, Tshiebwe has definitely helped himself at the combine.

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On Monday, Tshiebwe was measured and participated in some drills. While his agility circuit numbers weren’t great, which has been a concern, he did impress in one area, three-point shooting. Having shot 0-2 from three for his entire colligate career, it was a pleasant surprise as he shot 12-25 on threes, and then followed it up with an impressive shooting display during his Pro Day on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Tshiebwe opted to play in the 5-on-5 scrimmages and came away as one of the biggest winners. Unsurprisingly, he finished with a 10-point, 16-rebound double-double, and had the most rebounds of any player in the last five Draft Combine scrimmages.

While he helped his stock, there is one reason for optimism of a return, he did not show much outside of what he showed at Kentucky, at least in terms of the scrimmage. While Tshiebwe is an elite rebounder, which does translate to the NBA, he still had some defensive lapses and has not yet showcased any perimeter skills in a game setting. Then again, all it takes is one team to like what they see.

He will have a second scrimmage on Thursday afternoon.

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The wait for a decision will not take too much longer as the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is May 31st. If we have seen the last of Oscar Tshiebwe in a Kentucky uniform, he is grateful for his time in Lexington and what he calls the best time of his life.

“It has meant a lot. I’ve had a great, great time — probably the best time in my life — at Kentucky,” he said. “The people have been great to me. I’ve been good with the fans. I’m just so appreciative for everything the people have done for us. And everything I have accomplished for Kentucky — I’m very grateful for that.”

“And I will continue to be a part of the Big Blue Nation forever.”

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Men's Basketball

Adou Thiero Enters Transfer Portal, Keeps Options Open

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© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky’s first domino of the off-season has fallen. Adou Thiero has entered the transfer portal, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw. He has entered his name in the NBA Draft as well, while not ruling out a return to Kentucky, according to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim.

A big hit to Kentucky’s upcoming roster, as Thiero’s upside and growth will be missed. In the 2023-24 season, Thiero averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while missing 7 games due to injury. The 6-8 wing brought physicalness that Kentucky desperately needed this season, and something Calipari has been stressing for this upcoming season. Calipari harped on him numerous times this season, saying “He’s gotten so much better.”

Thiero has jumped in mock drafts all season, and his potential is sky high. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony even had Thiero going 27th in the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, he will get to add to his potential elsewhere.

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Now, Kentucky will look to find a good replacement for him as more things start happening throughout the off-season. Calipari is continuing to meet with players to discuss their future plans throughout the week.

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John Calipari Highlights Changes for Next Season

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John Calipari draws up a play at Kentucky's season opener. Said he made a "tweak".
UK Athletics

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein.

Many Kentucky fans have referred to this quote over the last few days, expressing a desire for a change from John Calipari. However, Calipari will be back on the sidelines for the Kentucky Wildcats next season for his 16th season, confirmed by Mitch Barnhart on Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be any changes.

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On Monday, John Calipari went on his season-ending radio show, giving his first comments to fans since Kentucky’s upset loss to Oakland last Thursday. It was easy to see why is a good recruiter, as he said all the right things.

For the better part of an hour, Calipari spoke with humility, answered some direction questions from Tom Leach, and accepted criticism. The main takeaway was that he understands that he has not met the Kentucky standard or his own standard, and changes need to take place.

“We’ve got to evaluate everything,” Calipari said. Here are some changes that have been outlined.

Getting Back to “Grinding”

Kentucky basketball offseason has often consisted of international trips to the Bahamas, or Canada last season, but not this year. Calipari emphasized a desire to get back to what his early Kentucky teams were characterized by, defense and physicality.

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“What about in the summers, instead of the Bahmas or Toronto, we’re grinding,” Calipari proposed. “We’ve got to get back to where we’ve been defensively and with physicality. Your defense steadies you.”

Those trips are good for team bonding and chemistry, but it’s clear that time can be used better for getting into the weight room and instilling defensive principles. Calipari did note that he does not want to take a step back on offense.

Getting Older

Calipari is the coach who made the “one-and-done” approach popular, relying heavily on elite freshmen. However, with college basketball getting older, he has expressed a willingness to get older.

“We’re relying on freshmen too much. In those kinds of games, you better have some vets,” Calipari said of his takeaway from Oakland. “For us, we need to get older.”

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It should be noted that Calipari relied on transfers in 2022 and 2023, albeit most not being the elite transfers, but more supporting pieces (i.e. CJ Fredrick) and developmental players (i.e. Jacob Toppin). That said, two transfers have been the leading scorer for Kentucky in three straight seasons, Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves.

Calipari is looking more for a middle ground between young talent and transfers. “I like the combination of both. We just got to get the right transfers.”

Program Changes

When you are winning, you have more freedom, but when you have just one NCAA Tournament win in the last four seasons, you’re not going to have that luxury. This was not publicly said by Calipari, but more oversight will come as a result of his meeting with Barnhart on Tuesday afternoon.

Expect 1-2 staff changes and likely a support staff change. One of the staff changes should be filled with a defensive mind, and the support staff should be (suggestion) filled with someone in a general manager-type role. There will also be some operation changes such as having a more definitive practice schedule, rather than getting a text the day before/of, and some changes with the NIL model.

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Mitch Barnhart Speaks On John Calipari Coming Back As Kentucky Basketball Coach, “He Will Return”

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Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will return as Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach.
Mike Weaver/Special to the Courier Journal

After days of speculation, Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart confirms that John Calipari will be back, coaching his 16th season for the Kentucky Wildcats. The two had a conversation at Barnhart’s farm on Tuesday afternoon.

“As we normally do at the end of every season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of our men’s basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach,” Barnhart said in a statement.

While there was some fan outcry for a head coaching change, there was no real indication that a change would be made.

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Barnhart was put in a difficult situation. Calipari has not led the Wildcats to the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2019, but he is one of just a few active Hall of Fame coaches. With no clear option as a replacement, Barnhart decided to retain Calipari for another season.

Kentucky Insider has been told that Tuesday’s meeting between the two was “good”, despite some disagreement. As a result of the meeting, there will be some expected changes in the program, specifically some staff changes, and changes in day-to-day operations.

On Monday, Calipari recognized his shortcomings and closed out his show with a commitment to the Kentucky fans:

“That standard of national titles has been here from coach Rupp on. The only thing I am saying to all our fans. I’m going to work… That is a commitment that I give to the fans. I love it. This is what I want. This is it. Let’s come together and let’s do something.”

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Calipari is set to meet with players individually on Wednesday to discuss their stay/go decisions. The process of rebuilding next year’s roster (and staff) begins now.

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