Top “backup” options for Kentucky Basketball if Oscar Tshiebwe is gone
The status of Tshibwe isn’t the only speculation going on with the program this offseason. Aaron Bradshaw, a consensus top-10 incoming freshman, has been linked with the USC Trojans after the Bronny James commitment. Like many offseason rumors, this one has been refuted by the prospect himself.
Still, the Wildcats have to be careful and have backup options in case they lose both of them. I mean, they technically lost Ugonna Onyenso for a few weeks this offseason but ultimately decided to return. A couple of options have emerged at the center position, including Zuby Ejiofor and Isaiah Miranda.
Ejiofor is a causality of the Hunter Dickinson sweepstakes, as he entered the portal after that decision. He’s a former top-50 prospect that averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.7 rpg. The former Jayhawk has already scheduled four visits but is on record as being interested in Kentucky if Tshiebwe stays in the draft.
Miranda is another former top-50 prospect that can play both frontcourt positions. He reclassed and joined NC State midway through the season as a redshirt but things clearly changed, as he and the team parted ways. So we still don’t know how good he is as a D-I player but Kentucky reached out when he entered the portal and like Ejiofor, could be an option to watch.