LEXINGTON, Ky. — Oscar Tshiebwe put together two record-setting seasons at Kentucky.

There won't be a third.

The Wildcats' star forward — the unanimous national player of the year in 2021-22 — announced Wednesday evening he will remain in this year's NBA draft.

"I hope as I continue to fight for my dream of playing in the NBA you will continue to support me," the 6-foot-9, 260-pound Tshiebwe posted on his personal Instagram account. "Thank you BBN for everything and I am so lucky to always call Kentucky home."

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Tshiebwe is projected to be a possible second-round pick but is not a lock to be selected due to his limited size in the post. He was also exposed routinely this season on defense against pick and rolls.

The Wildcats hadn't planned on him being part of their 2023-24 roster. Following the team's season-ending loss to Kansas State in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Kentucky coach John Calipari said he didn't believe any senior would use the extra year given to them by the NCAA. But former walk-on Brennan Canada said March 30 he would return for his fifth season.

Tshiebwe's potential departure continues an offseason overhaul for Calipari.

Tshiebwe joins senior forward Jacob Toppin and freshman guard Cason Wallace in staying in the draft. Senior guard Antonio Reeves and freshman forward Chris Livingston will make their draft decisions later Wednesday. Four other players transferred since the end of last season: guards Sahvir Wheeler (committed to Washington) and CJ Fredrick (Cincinnati) along with forwards Lance Ware (Villanova) and Daimion Collins (LSU).

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Kentucky does have the top recruiting class in the nation coming to Lexington this fall, including four five-star prospects (guards DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards and Robert Dillingham and forward Aaron Bradshaw) and in-state product Reed Sheppard, a four-star recruit. Rising sophomore forward Ugonna Onyenso announced he will be back, and fellow 2022 signee Adou Thiero also is expected to return, though he's not made an official announcement.

The Wildcats have not had success yet reinforcing the roster with the transfer portal, though, as they once did with Tshiebwe, who began his college career at West Virginia.

Tshiebwe had 48 double-doubles — tied with the late Cotton Nash for second most in school history — in just 66 games at Kentucky. Dan Issel holds the school record with 64.

In his two seasons at UK, Tshiebwe averaged 16.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.

Along the way, he made the spectacular look routine.

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Tshiebwe had six games of 22-plus points and 18 or more rebounds; all other SEC players in the last 10 seasons have combined for three. He had eight outings in which he pulled down at least 20 rebounds; every other UK player since the 1970-71 season has combined for just seven 20-rebound games. In last season's win at Florida, he made 92% (12 for 13) of his shots — the best single-game field goal percentage in program history.

Two performances last season stood above the rest: His 37-point, 24-rebound masterpiece in a come-from-behind home victory against Georgia, and his 25-rebound effort versus Providence, which set a Kentucky record for rebounds in an NCAA tournament game.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NBA draft 2023: Former Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe to remain in draft