Reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe told reporters Tuesday that he “absolutely” plans to be ready to play in No. 4 Kentucky’s season opener Nov. 7 against Howard.
Tshiebwe needed minor surgery on his right knee earlier this month to “clean some things up,” in the words of coach John Calipari. The forward was experiencing some pain and swelling and had a procedure done Oct. 13.
“To be honest, I don’t think I will miss no games,” Tshiebwe said at the Wildcats’ media day. “Probably the exhibition games, because it’s not really necessary. But I don’t think I will miss no (regular-season) games.”
Tshiebwe transferred to Kentucky last year after 1 1/2 seasons with West Virginia and led the nation in rebounding. He averaged 17.4 points, 15.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game in 34 starts. He was the consensus National Player of the Year last season, sweeping the Naismith Award and five other awards.
He was named a preseason All-American and the SEC Preseason Player of the Year.
Calipari did not have a set timeline to offer for Tshiebwe’s return, saying “we’re not going to hold him back, but you’re not going to push him forward.”
–Field Level Media