Oscar Tshiebwe reveals why his devout faith has him confident in his improved 3-point shooting

Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe took his game to another level when he transferred in from West Virginia, instantly becoming an inside scoring and rebounding machine when he suited up for the Wildcats. But, one part of his game that wasn’t quite there last season was an outside shot, and as a part of the team’s Big Blue Bahamas foreign tour during a halftime interview with SECN’s Tom Hart of Sunday’s exhibition game vs. Bahamas, he explained why he has more confidence in his three-pointer heading into this season.

“He told me I’m gonna knock them down, but I feel like I’m still working. He said, ‘Oscar, I’m going to do anything for you. You just got to do your part, and I’m gonna do my part, too.’ So if you really want God to help you and get to wherever you want to go, you have to put in the work. God does not like lazy people. I think he’s happy with what he’s seen from me now. I’m working on my three-pointer. I told him ‘You gotta help me make them because I’m working on them,’” Tshiebwe said.

Tshiebwe didn’t make or attempt any three-point shots for the Wildcats last season, but adding this element to his game would be huge in opening up Kentucky’s offensive attack. Tshiebwe has been very open about his faith, as he’s discussed the impact it has on his own life and the game of basketball. He even does some public speaking at local churches and helps lead the school’s Christian fellowship group.

Tshiebwe is clearly a special player on and off the court, and this season we will see if his conversation with the man upstairs and his hard work in the gym leads to production behind the arc for him.

Oscar Tshiebwe explains how faith factored into his decision to return to Kentucky

It’s no secret that Kentucky basketball star Oscar Tshiebwe had the skills and talent to declare for this year’s NBA draft, as he became one of the most decorated players in college basketball history this past season. But chose to return to Kentucky for his senior season for a special reason, which he revealed during a halftime interview with SECN’s Tom Hart of Sunday’s exhibition game versus Bahamas’ national team during Big Blue Bahamas foreign tour.

“That was not my decision. Everything I do, I don’t do on my own. I always pray if I don’t feel so comfortable by doing something is when I hear from God. I was praying to God – My dream is to play in the NBA – but now, the situation is tough. I’m not even projected to be in the first round, but do you want me to leave or do you want me to come back?  The one thing I hear from God, he said, ‘I’m not done with you at Kentucky.’ So after he had done it, I said I’m going back for God,” Tshiebwe said.

Tshiebwe was named Unanimous National Player of the Year by Sporting News, the Associated Press, United States Basketball Writer’s Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches as well as winning the Naismith Trophy and the Wooden Award, making him the first SEC player to win all six awards in the same season. He transferred from West Virginia, and took his game to another level when he got to Lexington where he doubled his rebounding totals and nearly doubled his points per game average.

The Wildcats post season run was obviously cut short when they were upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Saint Peter’s, despite Tshiebwe having his third 30 point outing of the season. It definitely sounds like he has some unfinished business in the blue and white, and hopefully for Wildcats they can end Tshiebwe’s final senior season off on a better note than last year.