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During the Wednesday edition of ESPN’s SportsCenter, it was announced that Oscar Tshiebwe, the only unanimous National Player of the Year in Kentucky Wildcats basketball history, would be returning to Lexington for another season.
Tshiebwe recorded one of the most dominant seasons in college basketball history, averaging an impressive double-double with 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds per game while rewriting NCAA and school record books.
The big man has confessed his love for Kentucky on multiple occasions, but with his student visa, there were limitations to his earning potential for name, image, and likeness.
This in turn limited his ability to provide for his family and caused many to believe he would leave for the NBA Draft.
With Tshiebwe returning, one would assume that his NIL situation has been lined out and he has some big deals lined up that will be announced later. This could also potentially allow for his mother to make the journey from the Congo and see her son play for the first time.
It’s ridiculous to think, but for the first time in the John Calipari era, Kentucky will retain their best player, and the Big Blue Nation is beyond euphoric.
Let’s take a look at some of the best reactions on Twitter.
I’M BACK ⚪️ ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/mYgpDJredq
— Big O (@Oscartshiebwe34) April 20, 2022
SportsCenter just teased an official announcement coming from Oscar Tshiebwe pic.twitter.com/0M0041nKsR
— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) April 20, 2022
The smile says it all.
— TJ Beisner (@tjbeisner) April 20, 2022
Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/Q4u7OK2AYo
Kentucky’s Oscar Tshwiebwe is coming back to Lexington for another season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 20, 2022
The Power of NIL. … especially at Kentucky.
"I’ll be in the blue in Kentucky next year again.” pic.twitter.com/agSsBrULyp
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 20, 2022
Yaaaaaa O @Oscartshiebwe34 !!!!! Unfinished business! Lets rock
— Cj Fredrick (@cj_fredrick) April 20, 2022
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) April 20, 2022
If you could go to a laboratory, you couldn't create a better player and person than Oscar. I doubt if we'll ever see that combination ever again at UK.
— Major Tom (@KyTomCat33) April 20, 2022
What Kentucky has coming back in Oscar Tshiebwe: pic.twitter.com/qrcj0xLUFz
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) April 20, 2022
In Oscar Tshiebwe ALONE, Kentucky now returns:
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) April 20, 2022
21.8% of its points
37.8% of its rebounds
38.2% of its blocks
25.9% of its steals
26.3% of its made free throws
27.6% of its free throw attempts
Everyone go buy a Cameo from your Returning NPOY Oscar Tshiebwe
— claire (@cIairer) April 20, 2022
Not done yet BBN ⚪️. You can find my announcement merchandise at the link below ⬇️https://t.co/G5PwoEes3o pic.twitter.com/1EWQocW6TH
— Big O (@Oscartshiebwe34) April 20, 2022
‘
Oscar Tshiebwe on the Saint Peter's loss: "That’s not how I wanted it to end, like that but for me, it is the best motivation. Now I know, next time, I’m never going to want to go through the same thing so I’ll make sure my teammates are ready, everyone is ready." #BBN
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) April 20, 2022
Thank God for Oscar Tshiebwe
— Big Blue Nation #BBN (@UKBasketbalI) April 20, 2022
Literally
“HE is not done with me in this place yet” @Oscartshiebwe34 LET’S GO. Congrats!!
— Will Levis (@will_levis) April 20, 2022
Reminder: Oscar Tshiebwe's agent told me in late February, when he and UK first began to crack the NIL code for an international student, "If he comes back to school there will be a multimillion-dollar deal on the table."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 20, 2022
✍️https://t.co/mNZ2PqQywZ pic.twitter.com/wcSYMPwkTw
Consensus National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe announces he will RETURN TO KENTUCKY for another season.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) April 20, 2022
Huge for Kentucky. Huge for college basketball.
No matter what else happens this off-season, this cements Kentucky as a 2022-2023 national title contender
Oscar Tshiebwe is such a good basketball player and a GREAT human being.
— Jo Jo Stephens (@mrjojostephens) April 20, 2022
We are so lucky to have him and we need to seriously cherish every moment with him in a Kentucky uniform over the next year.#BBN @Oscartshiebwe34
RT if you can't wait to watch @Oscartshiebwe34 next season ⚪️#OscarWorthy pic.twitter.com/nF0kPoXDc9
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 20, 2022
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