Is Oscar Tshiebwe coming back to Kentucky?

University of Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe will be wearing blue again next year. He has announced that he will be back in Kentucky to play for the Wildcats in his senior year.

Tshiebwe made this announcement on SportsCenter, when he was asked whether he would go to the NBA or stay in Kentucky.

Tshiebwe: ‘God is not done with me yet’

He said that after consulting with his mother and praying, he decided to play college basketball one more year to improve his draft stock in the NBA.

“I always wanted to be a lottery pick- top 10, top 15. I asked God why am I not there yet? So God has told me he’s not done with me yet in this place,” said the forward.

Tshiebwe’s decision makes him unique in modern-day basketball. He is now the first Wooden Award winner to go back to college after winning the prize instead of heading off to the NBA Draft since 2008.

Tshiebwe a big boost to Kentucky Wildcats

The 22-year-old Congolese national is the consensus National Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, as he was also named the SEC Player of the Year, among other national honors.

The junior’s decision helps Kentucky enter next year once again as one of the favorites to win the national championship.

Tshiebwe finished the year with an average of 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds per game, and recorded 16 consecutive double-doubles. He eventually reached a school record of 28, which surpasses that of UK legend Dan Issel, who had 26.

According to some oddsmakers, Kentucky is currently tied with Duke as the favorites to win the championship next year.