The 2022 NCAA men’s player of the year, Oscar Tshiebwe has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but is still leaving the door open for a return to the Kentucky Wildcats next season.
On Friday night, Oscar Tshiebwe announced that he will take the next month to look at his options as an NBA prospect but has not completely closed the door on playing one more season in Lexington.
“At this time, I feel as though it is best for me to declare for the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility,” Tshiebwe said [via ESPN]. “As I continue down this path, I pray that I can continue to have the amazing love and support of BBN, as you will always be in my heart and prayers. Only God knows what my future holds, but until then, it’s time to get to work.”
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The 6-foot-9, 260-pound center is a native of Congo who was the consensus choice for national player of the year in college basketball for 2022. He was dominant as tallied 17.4 points and led the country with 15.1 rebounds per game. While he wasn’t in the hunt for the honor this season, he again led the nation with 13.7 rebounds and had 16.5 points per game in a season that still earned him All-American honors.
However, for as good as he has been in college basketball over his four years — which includes a two-season stint at West Virginia — Oscar Tshiebwe is not a lock to be drafted in June. Nevertheless, if an NBA team did come calling this summer, these are three teams that will likely be the most interested.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are still deep in a rebuild, and with Hall-of-Famer Gregg Popovich still roaming the sidelines for the Spurs, Oscar Tshiebwe could be a nice fit in San Antonio. The 23-year-old is seen as a player with high character and a benefit to any locker room. That matched with his motor as a rebounding machine makes him seem like a talent that would draw Popovich’s interest.
Furthermore, the team needs more scoring options and he has shown a strong ability to do that in college.
Washington Wizards
With the Washington Wizards working towards re-signing Kristaps Porzingis, Oscar Tshiebwe could be a perfect player to be the dirty work rebounder to help keep the Latvian unicorn healthy. Tshiebwe makes sense for Washington as the type of player that could be down in the blocks banging around for boards. Improving the chances that Porzingis can stay on the court and showcase his All-Star-level scoring skills.
Chicago Bulls
Oscar Tshiebwe very much feels like a classic Chicago Bulls power forward. In the mold of Horace Grant, Carlos Boozer, and even Jason Caffey. For a team that has struggled with their bench production, Tshiebwe would be great as a rookie off the Bulls bench, offering rebounding thump and a little scoring boost in the Chicago reserves unit.