Oscar Tshiebwe discusses excitement, reaffirms his desire to change number

On3 imageby:Justin Rudolph07/16/22

The Kentucky Wildcats big man Oscar Tshiebwe was wearing the most essential part of his uniform during a recent interview with KSR, his smile. The reigning John Wooden award winner had a grin from ear to ear as he discussed his off-season so far. Towards the end of the interview, Tshiebwe discussed his excitement heading into next season and also reaffirmed his desire to change number.

“I’m very happy to be here and being part of this team,” said Tshiebwe to KSR. “(It) seems like everybody is so excited about this season. I’m happy to see everybody in the gym, to see us together. And we’re all trying to do one thing; we’re facing number nine. That’s how we’re going forward. So, I’m trying to make some discussion so the NCAA can change the rules and I can wear the number nine.

Tshiebwe push for the number nine is significant when it comes to Kentucky basketball. Currently, the team sits at eight national championships. And obviously, winning one in the upcoming season would put them at nine; thus, the team’s laser-like focus on the number and Kentucky big man push to wear it.

However, the NCAA has a very odd rule which prohibits players from wearing jerseys that have the numbers six, seven, eight, or nine. And the reason for it is a bit weird. According to the rulebook, referees are supposed to indicate what player has been charged with a foul using their hands; one hand represents the one place and the other the tens. And since we do not have more than five appendages on each hand, referees would have a hard time relaying to the scores table the foul perpetrator.

This rule has been on the books sentence the 1960s and given the advancement in technology, Tshiebwe might have a winnable case on his hands. But if the NCAA decides to stand firm and continue using this rule, expect Tshiebwe to still lead the Wildcats into battle with his excitement and electrifying smile; as the Wildcats continue on the school’s quest for men’s basketball title number nine.