Sporting News Columnist Says if Oscar Tshiebwe Returns He Needs to Work on Defensive Issues and Not Clogging the Lane

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Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy knows two-time All-American Oscar Tshiebwe has put his name into the NBA Draft. He knows he was the unanimous national player of the year two years ago. He also knows he kept open his option to return to college basketball for another season.

“The market for him as a NBA prospect remains unenthusiastic,” said DeCourcy. “It is not that they would not love to have a player with character and many of his skills in their camp to see what they could do with him, but he just will not be a coveted prospect in the draft because of his limitations, particularly defending ball screens,” DeCourcy said.

“That is the first thing they (NBA personnel)  look at before anything else. if you struggle with that, they are concerned. If they play you, they know they have to deal with it. So it is not just how you have done it in the past but what you can do in the future.”

DeCourcy said players often return to college for another season to improve their shooting. He noted a 33 percent 3-point shooter might put up 5,000 shots a day to get his percentage to 38.

“If you are a 33 percent shooter and a 6-5 guard, unless you are a point guard and exceptional athlete the NBA will not be enthusiastic about you. But if you are a 6-5 wing and shoot 40, then they will be very interested,” DeCourcy said.

“If Oscar comes back he has got to improve at defending ball screens. He is not slow. He is not a plodder. It’s more a question of spending a lot of time on it in the offseason and having the instincts about how to deal with it.

“When Anthony Davis came out of high school it was so amazing he already knew how to read where the screen was being set and how to fight off that. Oscar has not developed that  yet. He will not ever be Anthony Davis but he can be better than he is and eventually stick on an NBA roster.”

DeCourcy does not buy the theory that if Tshiebwe did return to UK that he would “clog” up the lane for talented incoming freshmen.

“He is a low post guy and you have to play him with somebody away from the bucket at the foul line or corner,” DeCourcy said. “If you play two low post guys you can’t get away with it. One of the guys has to be mobile and draw defenders away from the goal. The big guy they signed (Aaron Bradshaw) from what I know, he is that stretch type of player.”

DeCourcy is not sure why some UK fans are not anxious to have Tshiebwe back for another year

“Bringing back 14 rebounds and 15 or so points per game and a kid with great character, that’s not a problem,” DeCourcy said. “He wants to win and do well for his team.

“After the K-State game (in the NCAA Tournament) he was broken up. He wanted the team to do well. It was really close to Kentucky making the Sweet 16 and losing that game hurt him. He cares.”