Kentucky basketball star Oscar Tshiebwe went undrafted at the 2023 NBA Draft but he’ll get his shot with the Pacers after signing a two-way contract.
NIL is changing the game in college sports. We all know that. But it’s still wild to think that players can legitimately make more staying in college than going to the pros these days. (And not just in the old joke about illegal benefits.)
Take Oscar Tshiebwe, the Kentucky basketball star who returned to school last year instead of going to the NBA and reportedly cashed in big time. This time around, the 23-year-old decided to move on to the pros, and that decision has undoubtedly cost him money.
Tshiebwe went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft. He’s signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Oscar Tshiebwe lost money leaving Kentucky basketball for the NBA
As Jeff Goodman of Stadium pointed out, Tshiebwe will make $560,000 on that deal. He was reportedly making $2 million in NIL money at Kentucky.
Tshiebwe would have made more money if he stayed another year at Kentucky, but he was ready to move on and I’m told he’ll make $560K next season on a two-way deal.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 23, 2023
I’ll miss the constant smile, positive energy and hard-playing approach in the college ranks. https://t.co/vBOj65US5q
At Tshiebwe’s age, it made sense for him to move on to the NBA. He graduated from Kentucky in May.
Still, he could have returned to school with another year of eligibility on the table while cashing in on those sweet NIL dollars. That’s the new world of college basketball that NIL has brought, at least for the guys at the top of the NIL food chain.
Tshiebwe was a dominant player at Kentucky, winning the 2002 National Player of the Year Award from every major selector. In his two seasons with the Wildcats, he averaged 16.9 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.
At 6-foot-9, 260 pounds, Tshiebwe will need to prove to the Pacers and the rest of the NBA that he has a future in the pros.
He’s undersized as a big man, but his rebounding skill is bolstered by a massive wingspan and strong hands. We’ll have to see if his college game can translate to the NBA.
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