Both Tshiebwe and Bacot are, at best, projected as late second round picks and could stand to earn much more at the college level. The 6-foot-9 Tshiebwe was originally a transfer from West Virginia before exploding as the best rebounder in the nation. The Hogs would be a borderline top-10 team in that scenario. He averaged just 6.3 points per game on 30.5% 3-point shooting during his freshman campaign didn't show much shot-creation acumen. College basketballs unanimous national player of the year in 2021-22 and a consensus Second Team All-America choice in 2022-23, Tshiebwe (16.5 ppg, 13.7 rpg this season) is one of the most-decorated players in mens college hoops this decade. He became just the fourth player since 1975 with 500+ points and 500+ rebounds in a season, joining Kenneth Faried of Morehead State (2010-11), Blake Griffin of Oklahoma (2008-09), and Hakeem Olajuwon of Houston (1983-84). Hes already scheduled workouts with the Celtics, Bucks, Rockets and Kings. "First, I would like to thank God for everything He has done for me," Tshiebwe said. The decision is his, but the draft stock is definitely there and rising. Tshiebwe is dominating the college basketball landscape. Hes averaging 16.9 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Hes also shooting over 69 percent from the field. National Player of the Year honors can be coming in the future. Over 66 games, Tshiebwe amassed eight 20-rebound games while all UK players since the 1970-71 season have combined for seven such games. It will be really weird. Ex-UK starting QB is gearing up to coach against the Cats. "Not everybody is able to make their dream true. Got a link you think we should check out? According to europrobasket.com, the average salary for pro basketball players in the EuroLeague the top tier of professional hoops in Europe is between $400,000 and $800,000, though star players can command low-to-mid seven-figure contracts. Moving on, Oscar Tshiebwe moved up one spot, but he is still no projected close to the first-round as he is sitting at No. Tshiebwe is dominating the college basketball landscape. Williams and Keels wound up as second-round draft picks with Williams landing a multi-year contract with Oklahoma City and starting 36 games as a rookie. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). "I'm probably going to say sorry to Big Blue Nation because when I came here, my dream was to do something great. In what is still a relatively-new era in college sports, the latter scenario would yield two fascinating questions: 1.) In a normal circumstance, a player whose two-year career at a school like Tshiebwes at Kentucky had left him standing 48th in school history in scoring (1,117 career points), sixth in rebounding (952), 30th in steals (112), 24th in blocked shots (87) and tied for second in career double-doubles (48) would have an automatic invitation to return. Despite some team struggles for this current Kentucky squad, Tshiebwe is still putting up mesmerizing statisticsboth traditional and advanced. At this time, I feel as though it is best for me to declare for the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility. And with an increased role as a sophomore, Walsh could boost his pro stock with another year under Muss, who of course has an NBA background that could serve him well. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The one thing we dont yet know about him is if hell be an NBA Draft prospect as well. I'm excited for Oscar to go through this process to see if it's his time to live out his ultimate goal.". If I were him, I wouldn't walk away from that. Last year, our team each identified one player we believed should return to college after going through the pre-draft process. His 25 in a first round win over Providence this season were the most in any NCAA Tournament game since 1977. Hes averaging 16.9 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Two years in a row, it did not happen.. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Now that hes eligible for a NIL deal, and holding a lot of star power at Kentucky, Tshiebwe can dominate college basketball once again while making a very solid amount of money. He also is expected to be a candidate to compete in the draft combine or G League Elite Camp. Oscar Tshiebwe (C, Sr.) Oscar announced on April 7 he will test the waters of the NBA Draft. I respect everything that he has done. Akins' catch-and-shoot profile from last season was in the 96th percentile among college players, so we know he has skills that can translate up, but improving upon his finishing around the basket and sharpening some finer points of his game -- which he could very well do on a roster that looks to be even more talented -- may wind up boosting his stock even higher for a re-run into the 2024 NBA Draft. Tshiebwes draft stock is one of the biggest arguments for the big man coming back to Kentucky for another season. That is, weighing whether the money available to them in college hoops thanks to name, image and likeness opportunities makes staying in school a more attractive option than playing professionally overseas. For an encore this season, Tshiebwe averaged 16.5 points and once again led the nation with 13.7 rebounds per game while logging 20 double-doubles en route to becoming UK's first two-time All-American since Tayshaun Prince in 2001 and 2002 despite undergoing knee surgery just prior to the start of the season. Main Photo: There shouldnt be any debate there. Adam Zagoria tweets. Is the SEC going overboard in its drive to stop fans from rushing the field/court? 4 Aaron Bradshaw. 1 prospect Justin Edwards, No. He simply isnt moving the needle for the NBA. Walsh, a freshman,is a former five-star prospect who had a good debut on an Arkansas team that was stop-and-go for much of the season. "There is no player in that league like Oscar. That prospect would be big man Oscar Tshiebwe, 2022s National College Player of the Year. Out of five 2023 NBA mock drafts that I checked Thursday morning, only one, USA Todays, had Tshiebwe being drafted and that was in the second round as the No. Michigan State enrolls a top-five incoming recruiting class, its highest-ranked class since 2016, which is flush with talent and on paper surrounds Akins with weapons upon weapons that will not just push him, but better accentuate what he does well. Wagner and No. Add Walsh to the list that's vulnerable to exit. His 1,117 points is the second-highest individual total over any two-year span in school history behind only Bill Spivey (1,213) school history and ranks second in program history behind only Kyle Macy (1,411) for points by a transfer. I would also like to thank Coach Calipari and the coaching staff for believing in a kid from the Congo, as well as my teammates for standing beside me and fighting every day. However, he struggled mightily I dont think you can win a six-game NCAA Tournament, six games in a row, with Oscar Tshiebwe as your center. Yet the 6-foot-9, 255-pound product of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, appears to have slight odds of hearing his name called in the 2023 NBA Draft. With the draft looking a long shot, Tshiebwe would seem to be in close to the same position in which he and other college post players with games that are not ideal fits for the current NBA such as North Carolinas Armando Bacot and Gonzagas Drew Timme found themselves last year. Why a big change in John Caliparis philosophy has not paid off for Kentucky, For Mark Stoops and troops, 10 ways to make positive history in 2023. UNCs Bacot has already announced that he will return to Chapel Hill to use his super-senior year of eligibility in 2023-24. During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show this week, ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenbergsaid he expects to see the two-time All-American return to Kentucky next season. Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe declared for the NBA draft on Friday, but the 2022 Wooden Award winner also left open the option to return to Lexington for one more season. The Lakers Are Toast. But he's not there yet, I don't think. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en cliquant sur le lien Tableau de bord sur la vie prive prsent sur nos sites et dans nos applications. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. It seems likely that Oscar Tshiebwe has played his final game for the Kentucky Wildcats. On SportsCenter, the unanimous National Player of the Year announced he returning to Kentucky for his senior season instead of going to the NBA Draft, giving John Calipari and the Cats a cornerstone for the 2022-23 roster. For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action. In three career NCAA Tournament games, Tshiebwe totaled 63 points and 59 rebounds, an average of 21 points and 19.6 rebounds, but UK went just 1-2. Calipari is bringing in the nation's No. He has the skills necessary to succeed in the league. That prospect would be big man Oscar Tshiebwe, 2022s National College Player of the Year. Please check your email for a confirmation. Void in ONT. Lorsque vous utilisez nos sites et applications, nous utilisons des, authentifier les utilisateurs, appliquer des mesures de scurit, empcher les spams et les abus; et. National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe has a clear goal to improve his NBA draft stock: Shoot 3s for Kentucky basketball as a senior. There can be plenty of debate about what was the problem this season. However, one NBA Draft expert believes the problem was the return of the reigning National Player of the Year, Oscar Tshiebwe. The Athletics Same Vecenie made an appearance on the Game Theory Podcast and talked about what he believes went wrong this season. NBA money, even as a rookie second-rounder, is solid as well. The Spartans marched into the second weekend of this year's NCAA Tournament -- which as a No. He has one year of eligibility 4 recruit in Class of 2024, commits to Arizona, NBA announces 242 players declaring early for draft, SEC considers hefty penalties for court storming, Pitino jokes giving out number helps recruiting. And if he comes back, Arkansas would return another NBA prospect in Trevon Brazile, not to mention the clutch transfer get in Houston's Tramon Mark. Coming back would give him the opportunity to make even more of a name for himself while pursuing greater team success in the NCAA Tournament. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2:14 Oscar Tshiebwe put together two record-setting seasons at Kentucky. Emoni Bates.he could ah been a caa-tenda!!!! Its just the fit together does not work in a manner that helps you win basketball games at the highest level. See our ethics statement. A Sea of Blue has all the Kentucky Wildcats news and analysis you need, so be sure to go like our Facebook page and then go follow us on Twitter. Slip him the ball in the paint and hell find a way to finish. Tshiebwes struggles in defending against the high pick-and-roll this season are a big reason the Wildcats rank only 66th in adjusted defensive efficiency in the Pomeroy Ratings. Oscar transferred from West Virginia to Kentucky where he had a monster junior season. If he does, he could become a first-round pick in 2024 since his size, athleticism and defensive ability are all working in his favor. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Will there be a second or will he leave for the NBA Draft? 74 in ESPN's 2023 NBA draft rankings. Since that time, Ive worked as small-college beat reporter, sports enterprise/investigative reporter and, since August, 2001, as a full-time sports columnist. Toughness is not a problem with his game at all. 1 in the 2023-24 men's Way-Too-Early Top 25, Everything you need to know about "The Bag Game," a podcast on college hoops' bribery scandal. Hell carry a few doubts heading into the draft should he declare, but ones he can put away rather quickly. 2 D.J. Eligibility restrictions apply. DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards honored at Iverson Classic. Tshiebwe can enter the NBA Draft without risking his eligibility for next season so long as he doesnt hire an agent. Griner made it clear she will not be going overseas to play basketball unless she is representing her country at the Olympics. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe is the latest men's college basketball star to declare for the upcoming NBA draft. The deadline to apply to become an early-entry candidate for the 2023 NBA Draft has passed, and several prospects soon have tough Floor spacing is all the rage in the NBA, but more traditional centers still have a place. The reigning national player of the year returned to Kentucky for a senior year, but a preseason knee procedure prevented him from reaching full health until midway through. Should Walsh return, I think he'd grow into a top-50 all-around player in college hoops next season, with top-15 upside strictly as a defender. There are plenty more recent examples of players whove succeeded greatly despite entering the league later than others. He led the country in rebounding for the second straight year and ranked second in total rebound percentage (23.6). No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. The exciting bit about Tshiebwes comments on CBS Sports Network has to do with his experience of Kentucky. Hes averaging 16.9 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and Elite recruit Ron Holland decommits from Texas. And playing next to an elite playmaker in Fears could do wonders to spotlight for NBA teams what he does well. I would like to thank my family and everyone who has supported me over the years while working towards my dream. Tshiebwe, a 6-foot-9 center from Congo, was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2022 after averaging 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds -- leading the country in the latter category. Both players have been invited to the NBA Combine in Chicago in May. First off, hes eligible for another year in Lexington next season. Oscar Tshiebwe Draft Stock The Numbers Tshiebwe is dominating the college basketball landscape. He's also an ideal player to have in your locker room because he will truly care about his teammates, the organization and the community. However, he will have the opportunity to improve his stock in his upcoming workouts. The senior big man now has until May 31 to withdraw his name from the draft if he chooses to go back to college. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). To break down exactly why that is, we went to the video room. Heres how bad it looks for the Cats. Tshiebwe will lead Kentucky this month and can only raise his draft stock from here. Livingston entered Kentucky as a five-star prospect in the Class of 2022 and showed plenty of promise on the defensive end while starting in 26 of 34 games for the Wildcats. 2023 NBA draft top 100 and stock watch: Who impressed at the Champions Classic? Kentucky Coach John Calipari told reporters after the loss to KSU that his guess was that all six of UKs seniors each of whom has an additional season of college eligibility available due to the NCAAs free COVID year which was offered to all athletes who were enrolled in 2020-21 would leave. Keels, by contrast, appeared in just three NBA games, concluding the season on a two-way contract with the Knicks and facing a somewhat uncertain future. Oscar Tshiebwe now has about as many Player of the Year awards as fingers after picking up the Naismith Mens College Player of the Year award on Sunday. Hes a consensus All-American and a record-setter. The one thing we dont yet know about him is if hell be an NBA Draft prospect as well.