Oscar Tshiebwe ‘not opposed’ to one more season terrorizing opponents with Kentucky

Other than a national championship, Oscar Tshiebwe has done it all for Kentucky. But he’s still open to coming back with his last year of eligibility.

Oscar Tshiebwe has been an absolute monster in his two seasons at Kentucky, averaging 16.9 points, 14.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s won a slew of Player of the Year Awards, making All-SEC, All-Defense and AP All-American teams. And he’ll be looking to help lead Kentucky on a deep tournament run this season.

After four years of collegiate dominance, the presumption was he’d be turning pro at the end of this season. But, per KYInsider.com, his agent has said he’d be open to returning to Kentucky and using his final season of eligibility for another national championship chase.

"“I’ll be honest, he’s not opposed to it. He wants to do what’s right for him and his career and his life, and there is that option to come back, so you never know. I think a lot of people would be surprised, but I would tell you Oscar is very open-minded.”"

What does the future hold for Oscar Tshiebwe?

A national championship is possible for Kentucky this year but it would be a longshot as a No. 6 seed in the same region as Purdue, Duke, Tennessee, Kansas State and Marquette. FiveThirtyEight’s projection model gives them just a 10 percent chance of making the Final Four and just a 1 percent chance of winning it all.

Tshiebwe’s professional prospects are just as unclear. Even though he’s one of the most accomplished college players in recent history, he is projected as a late second-rounder on most big boards, with a strong possibility of going undrafted. The attributes that have helped him succeed at Kentucky — motor, physicality and athleticism might not create the same advantages at the next level. And if he’s choosing between another celebrated run as a Kentucky hero or toiling away in the G League or a low-level European league, another season as a Wildcat might look a lot more attractive.