Oscar Tshiebwe has his own reasons for staying at Kentucky

Oscar Tshiebwe has a giving nature on and off the basketball court. (Photo by Vicky Graff)

Former Kentucky All-American Kyle Macy once told me that once an athlete had a great season in college he probably should try his luck turning professional rather than return to school because it was unlikely he could do anything to help his NBA or NFL draft status.

Tyler Ulis made that decision after his sophomore year at Kentucky when he was SEC Player of the Year. Coming back to UK was not going to make him any taller and if he was ever going to make an NBA roster, the time to try was then.

One could easily apply the same logic to Oscar Tshiebwe. He swept the national player of the year awards and led the nation in rebounding last season. He led UK in scoring, blocks and steals also. He was SENSATIONAL.

Still, he was projected as a likely second-round NBA draft pick and Wednesday he announced he was returning to UK for a senior season — and I was not surprised.

No, I had no inside information. Instead, I just realized Tshiebwe is different.

— He wants to bring his mother from Africa to the United States. He has established a network in Lexington and it will be the perfect spot for his mother to live if she gets to come here. That was important to him.

— He also believes he can become a lottery pick, the dream he’s had for years. He trusts coach John Calipari and his staff to develop his all-around game even more.

— Finally, he feels he has a special calling to share his faith and has loved doing that in the Bluegrass where he’s been welcomed with open arms at churches, schools and other functions, including the state capital.

I got to see and hear Tshiebwe when he shared his testimony at a crusade in Harrodsburg. It was powerful.

Earlier that day he had helped perform a baptism at a Lexington church.

“When God wants you to go share something about people, it is great to do for people. I went to the church today to help the pastor to baptize the kid. It was really good and I am excited to be here with the people to share the faith about how I love Jesus Christ,” he told me before speaking in Harrodsburg.

“I had never done a baptism before. It was my first experience. It went really good. I was very happy to do it.”

He feels the same about his experiences he’s had in other places across Kentucky and you just had a feeling he knew he had more to do spiritually in the Bluegrass as well as athletically.  

“When God has put you in this place to help others, it is great for you. You have to help the light to shine so everybody can see the work of God and everything that God has done for us,” Tshiebwe said.

“I am very happy to be here and very happy to go do more things like this. I love being in Kentucky and sharing about God with others.”

And that’s why I was not surprised when Tshiebwe announced he was staying at Kentucky for another season.