Will Oscar Tshiebwe continue to expand his game following NPOY campaign?

What are you able to say about Oscar Tshiebwe that hasn’t already been stated?

Since arriving in Lexington again in February of 2021, the large man from the Congo has all however rewritten the Kentucky basketball document books whereas stealing our hearts within the course of.

Oscar Tshiebwe

• Top: 6-foot-9
• Weight: 260 lbs.
• Class: Senior
• Hometown: Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Place: Ahead
• Recruiting Rating: 4-star recruit ranked No. 31 general and No. 8 amongst facilities within the class of 2019 through 247 Sports activities Composite.

Tshiebwe grew up in Lubumbashi within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and unsurprisingly performed soccer early on in his childhood, not basketball. Had it not been for a neighborhood camp organized by Bismack Biyombo, Oscar Tshiebwe could have by no means discovered his calling on the courtroom.

Fortunately he was launched to the sport of basketball which in the end introduced him to the US of America.

After a stellar highschool profession, Tshiebwe can be named the Gatorade Participant of the 12 months for the state of Pennsylvania and was invited to play within the McDonald’s All-American sport.

Following a short stint on the College of West Virginia, the celebrities aligned for Oscar Tshiebwe to switch to Kentucky the place he’s since cemented his identify in historical past.

After an unbelievable 2022 season, there isn’t sufficient time to checklist the entire awards and accolades that had been righteously bestowed on Oscar Tshiebwe.

Most notably the 6-foot-9, 260-pounder was the primary participant in program historical past to win all six NCAA-recognized Participant of the 12 months awards (Related Press, Related Press, United States Basketball Writers Affiliation, Nationwide Affiliation of Basketball Coaches, Naismith Trophy and Wood Award).

In years previous, you’d count on a adorned school participant like Oscar Tshiebwe to depart the beginner ranks for the professionals in quest of turning his craft into monetary prosperity. However, instances have vastly modified with NIL including incentives for gamers to remain in school, and Tshiebwe’s case could also be one thing we see increasingly more sooner or later.

Right here’s what the Massive O needed to say on SportsCenter when talking about his choice to return to Kentucky in April.

“I pray for it and I ask God what is sweet for me. I ask God, ‘I grew to become nationwide participant of the yr, however why is my identify not within the first spherical?” Tshiebwe stated.

“I at all times wished to be a lottery choose, however I ask God, ‘Why I’m not there but?’ So God has advised me he’s not executed with me but. He advised me he desires me to return and simply work, as a result of he’s not executed with me on this place. So I’ll be again once more. I’ll be right here subsequent yr for Kentucky. I’ll be within the blue for Kentucky once more.”

After the announcement was made that UK would have one other season with the Nationwide Participant of the 12 months, the Cats instantly grew to become a preseason top-five crew with sights set on attending to Houston for the Closing 4.

Now the query turns into — Can Oscar Tshiebwe replicate his record-setting season from a yr in the past whereas enhancing his sport?

Throughout his Nationwide Participant of the 12 months marketing campaign Tshiebwe averaged 17.4 factors and 15.1 rebounds, the latter led the whole nation.

From a statistical standpoint, I could also be within the minority in pondering that matching these numbers in 2023-2023 is unlikely, partially as a result of growth of different front-court choices like Daimion Collins, Lance Ware and the addition of 6-11 freshman Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso.

Assuming he matches his 32 minutes-per-game common from final season, it’s insane to consider him with the ability to exceed 15 boards per contest, however Oscar has confirmed he has no limits.

To begin the yr, there might be a minor concern of his general well being after he underwent a minor knee process following UK’s Professional Day. He’s anticipated to overlook the Wildcats’ first two video games vs. Howard and Duquesne. It’s additionally attainable Calipari may monitor Tshiebwe’s minutes and never over-extend his utilization except completely obligatory.

I’d count on him to take extra outdoors photographs this season and perhaps even make the primary three-point shot of his school profession.

Again in July, he spoke about creating his sport and utilizing an out of doors shot to gasoline his inside sport.

“I don’t must go on the market and hit a bunch of threes. I simply want one or two within the sport. Then I can keep down low and hold doing my factor.” Tshiebwe stated.

Whether or not it’s on or off the courtroom there’s no denying that Oscar Tshiebwe has been a once-in-a-lifetime ambassador for the College of Kentucky and a few count on him to stay a part of this system for many years to come back.

If the Cats can put collectively a particular season and make it to the Closing 4, it might catapult the Congo native to larger-than-life standing within the Commonwealth.

Even when his numbers don’t find yourself matching what we noticed a season in the past, there are nonetheless so some ways Tshiebwe can impression a basketball sport.

This yr’s crew has already proven promise in so many areas, so realizing that they’ll have a pillar of consistency like Tshiebwe within the center ought to give the Massive Blue Nation a robust sense of optimism heading into the season.

However it’s vital to recollect — he’s not a machine — he’s simply Oscar.

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