Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe was the first National Player of the Year to return to college basketball since Tyler Hansbrough did it with North Carolina back in 2008. The decision by both was met with some skepticism at the time, but the results paid off quickly. Tshiebwe has raked in millions of dollars thanks to name, image, and likeness (NIL) while Hansbrough went on to lead UNC to a national title in 2009.
But not since Virginia’s Ralph Sampson in 1982 has a National Player of the Year returned for a third season in college basketball after winning the award.