Oscar Tshiebwe's mother believes senior season at Kentucky is the best decision

Before Kentucky’s March Madness dreams were dashed, the hope was to get Oscar Tshiebwe‘s mother to the United States to see him play in the NCAA Tournament. As you know, that did not happen, but now that Oscar’s coming back for another season, we’ve got ample opportunity to make sure it does.

Not only will Oscar get another chance to write the ending to his college career — which will hopefully be hugging his mother as the confetti falls in Houston — the hurdles facing his name, image, and likeness (NIL) situation are being cleared, which will open up the floodgates to some much-needed and well-deserved money. Oscar told SportsCenter‘s Sage Steele that he spoke to his mother two or three times per day leading up to his decision. The two prayed over it and she believes returning to Lexington for another season is the right call.

“My mom, she’s my hero right now. My daddy, he used to be but my mom, I can’t do anything without asking my mom. God is first and my mom is second because she knows better and she wants the best for me out of everybody I know.

“I spent most of the time, I spoke to my mom maybe two or three times a day, every day. We just talk about everything. My mom, she’s my everything and she has helped me a lot. This decision, it was not just me praying about it but my mom, she was praying about it and she thinks it is the best decision.”

Mama knows best.

Oscar “100%” believes his mother will come watch him play next season

Oscar’s mom has never seen him play basketball in person. Back when he first picked up the sport as a teenager, she actually punctured a basketball with a kitchen knife when she found out he was skipping school to practice. Over time, she’s warmed to the sport her son dominates, even if she doesn’t fully understand it.

“She’s never seen [me play basketball],” Oscar told Steele. “She doesn’t even understand how basketball works. She doesn’t.”

Now that a senior year at Kentucky and NIL money are on the table, Oscar is confident his mother will be able to come to the United States to see him play.

“God is making the way. That’s why I trust God in everything I do. God is the only one who can make it the way, perfect. I believe my mom, she will get to watch me next year. I believe, 100%.“

It’s going to be a special night in Rupp when it happens.