Oscar Tshiebwe, left, and Lance Ware sat alone with their thoughts after UK's loss Sunday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
All of Kentucky’s seniors, including All-American Oscar Tshiebwe, could come back for another season. However, four of them went through recent Senior Night festivities and it seems HIGHLY UNLIKELY that point guard Sahvir Wheeler would be back after not playing in a game the last six weeks.
“My guess is they will all leave. That’s my guess, but I have not talked to them all,” Calipari said after Sunday’s 75-69 NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State.
Tshiebwe is a two-time All-American who had 43 rebounds in UK’s two NCAA Tournament games. He was the unanimous player of the year last season when he thought of leaving for the NBA. He returned to UK and has had another superb season.
He’s not projected as a first-round draft pick despite being a double-double machine in college. His only likely reason to return would be if he thought his NIL money at Kentucky would be more than what he could make by turning professional. But if he’s going to make the leap, this would seem to be the time.
Jacob Toppin scored only two points Sunday but has played well the last month. His brother plays in the NBA and he has the length and athleticism it takes at the next level but his skill set might not be quite there. However, he put his name into the draft last year and would seem ready to try his luck playing for pay.
Wheeler’s story is not easy to figure out. He’s a small, feisty guard who is an exceptional passer. But his size is an issue along with his decision-making. After not playing since Feb. 4, it’s hard to see him back at UK even if he decides to play another season of college basketball.
Illinois State transfer Antonio Reeves, who missed his first 14 shots Sunday, had been a consistent scorer the last month before going ice-cold. Many have speculated how well he would fit with UK’s No. 1 recruiting class next season and a chance to play in a big-time program a second year could persuade him to stay around.
CJ Fredrick is 24 years old and got engaged to UK women’s basketball player Blair Green during the season. He’s been injured most of his two seasons at UK after transferring from Iowa. He was extremely emotional after Sunday’s loss but it’s hard to see him staying in college another year.
“I think you start winding down this COVID stuff where that’s your extra year, but these kids accomplished a lot. We’ll sit down. Now is not the time,” Calipari said after the loss.
“I hugged them all after the game, told them I loved them, and appreciated everything they’ve done. But those conversations will be for a little later date.
12 Responses
Calipari needs to leave with them!
He doesn’t want them back so he can work on getting his incoming freshman class drafted.
Next season we end up with more losses than this one in my opinion.
Who would want to come back and listen to a bunch of crybabies put them and their coach down on social media. Cal can handle it. Kids are fragile. Like it or not a 19 yr old is still a teenager. Cal didn’t break anyone’s confidence. It’s the whiney fake fans. He tried to keep them away from it, but kids are addicted to the net. I’m surprised the kids coming next year even signed. I hope they don’t lose a game or have really thick skin. Atleast Wheeler can’t get the blame.
Not sure Jim that UK fan expectations are any different than ones Joe Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and now Calipari have had to face. Cannot call it the gold standard of college basketball and not have expectations go with it
“Gold Standard”? Calipari has turned it into iron pyrite, i.e., fool’s gold.
Very good point, Larry!
If any are on the fence, the immaturity and ignorance from a small but very loud part of the fanbase that has allowed all this silly cancel culture be their example of how to behave may well be the decision factor that makes them not return.
You left out one of the seniors who went through Senior Day festivities. The Herald Leader reported in his senior profile story that Brennan Canada, who recently earned a scholarship, was considering returning for a fifth year to work on a graduate degree.
I was just mentioning seniors who actually played.
Brennan Canada could play and should have played some with all of the injuries we had. Onyenso should have played more and I will be surprised if he stays here. Calipari thinks this is all about him and what he wants to accomplish. We have become a mediocre program and will continue to be such as long as Calipari stays here.
I was disappointed that coach didn’t say “but I’d love to have each and every one of them”. It’s like he’s pushing them out the door. Several have good reasons for coming back possibly. And now with NIL, some could possibly make more money if they stay put.
surprised me too JC