On Wednesday, Oscar Tshiebwe announced a return to Kentucky on SportsCenter. Making for the first time in the Calipari era that the team’s best player has returned, giving the Big Blue Nation good reason to be excited next season.
On Friday, the unanimous Player of the Year held a press conference to talk about his decision and
Let’s take a look at what he had to say.
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What sort of feedback did you get from NBA people?
“The feedback I got from the NBA was like, ‘Oscar if you can expand your game from outside, make one or two three-pointers per game, attack the rim, make your passes, get better dribbling, you’ll be good and in good position next year.”
On if John Calipari will let him shoot threes, Tshiebwe said, “He told me he will let me shoot threes as long as I keep making them”. He also noted that he has already begun working on his outside shot in workouts and pickup games.
Tshiebwe doesn’t believe the challenge is too great to add a perimeter game to his already elite inside game, saying, “I don’t think it’s going to be bad, because I’m still going to do exactly what I do, but sometimes just go out there [perimter], especially when coaches play two bigs.”
Joining the team in early 2021, Tshiebwe worked out for 8 months straight and became the National Player of the Year. Tshiebwe believes by starting to put in the work now, his game can be on a”different level” come November.
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Now that people know what you’re capable of, what are the expectations for you coming back?
Prior to the season, Tshiebwe set a lofty goal of averaging 20+ rebounds per game. People didn’t take it too seriously, not knowing what to expect from the West Virginia transfer.
While he didn’t average 20, Tshiebwe averaged 15.2 rebounds per game, becoming just the second player to do so since 1980 en route to becoming the unanimous Player of the Year.
Now knowing what “Big O” is capable of, expectations will be high, but he is not worried saying by adding new facets to his game, “I’m going to surprise a lot of people. Be like, wow, Oscar is just a good basketball player.”
As the National Player of the Year, Tshiebwe will have a target on his back for opposing teams, but he embraces it and says, “I like when I am target”.
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Kentucky is not Losing to Saint Peter’s again
Upon his return, Tshiebwe said he told his teammates, “Let’s Go Beat Saint Peter’s, we cannot let Saint Peter’s beat us again.”
Even noting that the loss gave him some motivation for a return saying, “I said this was most disrespectful thing, I cannot end my college career losing to Saint Peter’s. So I say I gotta come back… we gotta run it back.”
Interestingly Tshiebwe talked about some of the players not being ready for the NCAA Tournament, “Some of my teammates were not ready, but I was ready” and with a 30-point and 16-rebound performance against Saint Peter’s that was very noticeable.
Tshiebwe ensures that will not be the case again, “I tell coach, ‘If I see somebody not ready, I’m gonna take your place. I’m just gonna sub him.’ I’ll be the coach for a minute’”.
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Do you feel confident that your NIL situation will get worked out?
Tshiebwe has never been shy about sharing his goal of using basketball to help provide for his family, with his student visa status causing limitations to his NIL earning potential, many thought that would push him to the NBA.
While nothing has been made official or been announced NIL wise, Tshiebwe did say he was confident, saying, “I feel confident. I’m a man of God, I trust what God is telling me. I know it is kind of tricky being an international student, but I believe it’s going to work out. God is going to open a way for me.”
When asked about the reported $2 million Tshiebwe said, “I don’t know about that, but that’s good money right there,” causing the whole room to laugh.
Tshiebwe talked about wanting to make an impact and help other international players be able to benefit from NIL, which is why he met with Kentucky senator, Mitch McConnell.
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On his decision to return
With his return, there is an assumption that the NIL situation has been worked out. However, Tshiebwe said that he didn’t make a decision based on NIL as it is a “distraction” but made his decision on what he heard from God.
On Friday, John Calipari said in a radio interview, “there were people in his [Tshiebwe] ear trying to get him to leave until the very end, up until he sat in that chair [on SportsCenter],” and even discussed that at one point, Tshiebwe recorded two videos for both a return and a departure to the NBA.
In this press conference, Thsiebwe echoed the same sentiment, saying, “there was like 50 and 50. People wanted me to leave. People wanted me to stay… ‘So who’s speaking the truth?’ I did not know. But I hear the voice of God and that was a true voice.
On his teammates testing the waters? (Keion Brooks Jr and Shaedon Sharpe)
Tshiebwe called Shaedon a “bucket” and said that he wants him back because it could be a “different level” of basketball.
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With that said, he understands that Brooks and Sharpe both have to receive the feedback and make the decisions themselves, but notes, “either way, we’re good.”
Tshiebwe has work to do off the court
On the court, Tshiebwe is one of the most dominant players in college basketball. Off the court, he is a tremendous ambassador for Jesus Christ. “Inspire people, bring people to Jesus, teach people about God”, Tshiebwe said of what God wants him to do.
Tshiebwe understands the impact he has on the community and wants to use that “not just for basketball but to go to places to teach people about God.”
Fan interaction while he was making his decision
Tshiebwe has gotten accustomed to the craziness of Kentucky fans within the state but was shocked as he traveled around the country to accept awards, and received a similar reaction.
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“I was in California, I thought like when I land in California I would be at peace, people don’t know me. As soon as I land in the airport everybody says ‘Oscar’ everywhere. I said wow’,” Tshiebwe said.
Tshiebwe has already become an all-time fan favorite in just one season, and with a second season, he could possibly cement his name in the Rupp Arena rafters.
“People are very excited and I am very excited to run it back this season.”
Tshiebwe repeated several times that next season is not about fun nor himself, “I win national Player of the Year, now it’s time to get the trophy [NCAA Championship] to put somewhere in the school”, even saying he is willing to travel with Calipari to help recruit.
The first domino of the Kentucky basketball offseason has fallen, as Kerr Kriisa has entered the transfer portal after receiving a medical redshirt.
Kriisa was an early fan favorite due to his energetic style of play and outgoing personality, but he appeared in just nine games for Kentucky this season after suffering a Jones fracture, which ultimately ended his season. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds.
“To Coach Pope and the UK Coaching staff – It has been an absolute dream to play for the University of Kentucky. Thank you for your continued support.
To my teammates – I am so thankful for the relationships we’ve formed during my time at Kentucky, and I will keep those friendships for a lifetime.
To BBN – Your unending support of me and my team has been amazing. Playing at Rupp Arena in front of huge crowds has been a dream come true. I will always cherish my time in the Bluegrass state, and I wish Kentucky basketball all the best in the future.”
His last moment in a Kentucky uniform, was him getting back to play defense with that Jones fracture, and that says a lot about who Kerr Kriisa is.
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The news of Kerr Kriisa’s transfer shouldn’t come as a surprise, but certainly going to miss his vibe.
His last moment in a Kentucky uniform, he got back to play defense with a jones fracture. That symbolizes who Kerr is.
Following the Wildcats’ Sweet Sixteen loss to Tennessee, he was in tears when talking to KY Insider.
“We brought the joy back to Kentucky,” Kriisa said. “To watch a group play, that plays for each other. That would take a bullet for each other. I’m just so sad.”
Kerr Kriisa's season ended in December, but he was as emotional as any player in the locker room last night.
What is he going to remember from this team?
"We brought the joy back to Kentucky. To watch a group play, that plays for each other. That would take a bullet for each… pic.twitter.com/lrX60eEybD— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 29, 2025
Krissa loved this team and he gave it all for the Cats when he was on the court this season.
Kriisa enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.
While it was the senior-heavy roster that dominated headlines throughout the year for Kentucky basketball, in their leave, there are still a collection of players who have the opportunity to return to Kentucky come November.
Starting with Travis Perry, he was the one player to give a definite answer, telling reporters, “Yeah, certainly,” that he would be back next season.
Fellow Kentucky native, Trent Noah, did not give a yes or no, but suggested that he would be back. “Just playing as hard as I can, that’s the main thing,” he said, answering what he would bring to the team next season. “Doing whatever I can to help the team win. It’s a privilege to wear this jersey, so whatever I am asked.”
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Collin Chandler admitted that he hasn’t “thought about that whatsoever,” elaborating, “…we’ve been focused on what we’re doing and being present with this group.”
Chandler, who originally committed to BYU before following Mark Pope to Kentucky, had one of the most prominent arcs of improvement of any player on the team this year. ‘Cats fans would be happy to have him back if he so chooses. His fiancee recently shared an update on social media that she plans to move with Chandler to Kentucky this off-season.
Otega Oweh, who has one year of eligibility remaining, gave a similar answer: “I haven’t thought about none of that.”
Brandon Garrison kept it simple: “I’m going to go talk to Coach Pope and the staff and see what’s next for me.”
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Time to Process
It’s fair for these players, regardless of where they stand as far as the transfer portal goes, to take the time to deal with a tournament loss before even considering such a question in the first place. Even so, Travis Perry delivered the clearest answer of the night, responding to the question of a return with an unequivocal “certainly.”
Regarding the rest of the roster, Brandon Garrison said that he’d talk to Coach Pope and his staff in order to determine his future, and beyond that, it’ll all come down to speculation. With the season officially over, Kentucky fans have entered the dreaded waiting game in regard to who’s coming, who’s leaving, and who’s staying.
But no matter what, every player on this year’s team deserves a hats off for their contributions to one of the most entertaining, memorable squads to ever roll through Rupp Arena. And at the end of the day, if Mark Pope has proven anything, it’s that he understands the transfer portal. Kentucky will be okay, along with whoever decides to stay.
The Kentucky Wildcats will face-off with the Tennessee Volunteers for the third time this season in the Sweet Sixteen, where Kentucky won each of the first two matchups.
Head Coach Mark Pope and the heart-filled ‘Cats will look to beat Tennessee for the third time in a single season for the first time since 2005.
While previewing the game, Pope had nothing but nice things to say about the rival Volunteers.
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“If we really parse details, there’s certainly the emotional advantage of winning two that you feel like you know you can,” said Pope. “This is a great Tennessee team. It’s one of the top teams in the country. It’s the best defensive team in the country.”
Pope, frankly, is right. The No. 2 seed rivals allow only 62.9 points per game, ranking eighth in the nation and hold one of the best defensive efficiency ratings in the nation.
Although these stats haven’t really translated against the Wildcats this season, when it’s March, everything goes out of the door.
It’s hard to beat a team three times. We know it, and legends have admitted it.
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North Carolina vs. Duke (2024-25)
North Carolina’s Dean Smith wrote in his memoir that “It was extremely hard to beat a good team three times in a row.” Look at his Tar Heels recently, who faced off against the Duke Blue Devils three times this season. Duke, by a landslide, was the better team all year, hinting at why the Cooper Flagg led team is still dancing.
Duke beat the Tar Heels by double-digit points in both of the regular season matchups, but in the ACC Tournament, no matter what the skill gap was, North Carolina outscored Duke 47-29 in the second half and would only lose by three points.
When comparing a team who had lost only three games to one who had lost 13, you would think the score would be a landslide again. However, it’s hard to beat a team three times.
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Kentucky vs Auburn (2018-19)
The Wildcats have experienced this downfall first hand in their last trip to the Elite Eight, where the No. 5 seed Auburn Tigers defeated them 77-71 in a heartbreaker.
Kentucky had defeated the Tigers on the road 82-80 on Jan. 19 that year and would go on to blow them out by 27 points inside of Rupp Arena on Feb. 23.
Tyler Herro and Reid Travis would only combine for 16 points in the Elite Eight loss and Kentucky was sent home.
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Are we making some connections here?
Michigan State vs. Maryland (2021-22)
After Michigan State defeated Maryland on March 6 by a score of 77-67, this win would ironically, set up a rematch in the Big Ten Tournament the same week.
After scraping by on the road earlier in the season by two points, and now beating them once again, Head Coach Tom Izzo would comment on the topic, stating “Now you’ve got to beat a team three times, but it is what it is.”
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The No. 7 seed Spartans would scrape by once again, this time, by four points and would advance in the tournament.
Tonight, at approximately 7:39 p.m. ET, the ball will go in the air inside of Lucas Oil Stadium, and for 40 minutes, nothing else matters except surviving and advancing.
However, that day old adage will linger in every Kentucky fan’s mind.
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