Opponents get buried under the rim, like their feet are stuck in quicksand and Tshiebwe is at the surface gobbling up all the rebounds. "When he runs in transition offense, it's like he's in a track meet. Just playing against the National Player of the Year is a great feeling, it's a big stage, it's gonna bring back old memories.". Oscar Tshiebwe NBA Draft: The Kentucky Star is Ready to Explode - FanBuzz Teams. A trophy for the school, its going to be talked about forever. "I don't think anyone provides what he does to their team.". My reason to transfer in the middle of the season was I didnt want to sit out a year (under the old rules). The 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward from the Congo led the nation in rebounding at 15.1 per game while averaging 17.4 points. In doing so, he became the first national player of the year to return to school since Ralph Sampson, who is the last player to repeat the award. Prayer and belief comes at the forefront of dissecting the larger-than-life figure that took Lexington by storm, so his while his words may seem overly amplified, they come from nowhere but the heart: "I told him 'stay strong, God is gonna bring you back better than before.'". Wildcats is a basketball team of the University of Kentucky. It is about confidence, Tshiebwe says. That streak ended in Thursday night's home 106-63 win over South Carolina State. UK fought off Providence in the first round, partially thanks to 25 rebounds from Tshiebwe, a single-game postseason program record. But the Kentucky star also demonstrated some of the challenges that come with missing a month of practice following his surgery in October. Theres not one player in the country that impacts a team more than he does. Tshiebwe isn't commonly mocked as a top-tier prospect, potentially slipping into the second round or going undrafted, so he may find it more lucrative to return to college for another year. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). The return of Tshiebwe, who will reportedly make a seven-figure sum on name, image and likeness deals this season, extended a strong week for Calipari, who received a commitment from D.J. At West Virginia, Huggins was trying to play in another era by pairing Tshiebwe and Culver. And it allows us to get in transition a lot quicker. His bench press (20) and broad jump (125 inches) both tied for the fifth-best mark. For Tshiebwe, the decision on what to do next is more complicated than for most. Hes trying to get it, all-out. Hes averaging 16.3 points, 15.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.6 steals and shooting 61.5 percent from the field for 12th-ranked Kentucky, which will play at No. I know that everybody is going to try to figure out how to stop me, but the only person who can stop me is myself. But their own unceremonious exit, a drubbing at the hands of eventual national champion Kansas, stung every bit as much as being bounced by a tiny Jesuit school that plays its home games in a glorified high school gym. 4:18. Monday, May 1, 2023 4:15PM. Hansbrough averaged at least 18 and 7 every season at North Carolina and became the only four-time, first-team All-American in ACC history. The team extended their national record for most March Madness appearances to 59 and received the No. "They say the real love is when someone's going through a lot. Birthday. There was a guy once who said he thought every shot was just a pass to him, and thats the way I think Oscar looks at it.. Oscar Tshiebwe returns to Kentucky basketball: What it means - Sports Taking away team rebounds, that number jumped to 41.2%. They would also be very effective on the defensive end. Tshiebwe ranks second nationally in win shares per 40 minutes, sixth in box score plus/minus and comfortably leads Ken Pomeroys metric-based player of the year standings, ahead of Gonzagas Drew Timme, Ohio States EJ Liddell and Wisconsins Johnny Davis. Stats: 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.1 blocks, .6 steals, 31.6% 3PT, 69.5% FG, 79.5% FT, Case for: great rim-protector, great at staying vertical and not fouling, projectable jumpshot, Creighton was bad on both ends of the floor when he was out/limited and great with him, Case against: limited to just a drop coverage big as hes not switchable, Stats: 16 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3 blocks, 13.3% 3PT, 50% FG, 72.9% FT, Case for: good offensive hub in college, underrated passer, much better lateral mobility than he gets credit for, jumpshot looks solid in terms of form despite not making many threes, Case against: pretty old, didnt shoot it as well as I would have expected, Stats: 19.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2 assists, .7 blocks, 1.1 steals, 31.2% 3PT, 57% FG, 76.4% FT, Case for: runs the floor hard on offense, good scoring around the rim, maybe has some shooting potential, extremely productive college player, Case against: undersized center, doesnt project as much of a floor-spacer. Kentucky will now face South Carolina State on Thursday before traveling to Spokane, Washington, to face No. Oscar is one of the most unique players in the country, guard Davion Mintz says. Matt Babcock on Instagram: "Oscar Tshiebwe's motor was on from the jump A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this 6'9 forward transferred midway through his second season at West Virginia and sat out the rest of last season. Runs the floor well and stays active on both ends. Cason Wallace: 2023 NBA Draft Scouting Report None of the math can capture Tshiebwes warrior spirit and relentless positivity, which seem to have infected Kentuckys team, so his value is both obvious and impossible to quantify. The 6-foot-9, 255-pound. No more waiting.. Center prospects that could be had in the second round or undrafted. By Ethan DeWitt. Strength-wise, power-wise, force-wise, leverage-wise, hes the strongest person, easily, on the team. Tshiebwe, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone without a hint of bragging, told reporters opposing teams have to use double- or triple-teams to keep him off the boards. Once his playing days are over, Oscar said he wants to follow a higher calling and become a minister. Theyve dominated practice every day. If we can be plus-10 to plus-15 in possessions, we give ourselves a better chance to win, Coleman continues. The Democratic Republic of the Congo native did some pregame stretching and was honored with his Naismith Trophy as Player of the Year and a commemorative basketball for reaching 1,000 career points before taking his seat on the bench. "But I think I have a big heart. Averaged 9.9 points per game while shooting 63.5% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018. If Hunter Dickinson Wants to Commit to Kentucky, John Calipari Has to For Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe, decision on what to do next is complicated Spends a lot of offensive plays just sitting in the post Solid shooting mechanics but lacks some fluidity in his upper body. Neither was Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe. Wagner, the No. The points are the same for both it is tough to break into the NBA, and it may be in their best long-term interest to take another year and agree to more NIL deals and also master their craft. Hed gone from Bob Huggins doghouse at West Virginia to the penthouse (and a Porsche) at Kentucky, where fans adored him and businesses lined up to buy his endorsement. Izzo said he thought the Spartans caught Kentucky at a time when the team is still trying to adjust to Tshiebwe's return. He's scored 10 or more points in all but one game this season. I don't care about points. The freshmen look like grown men. Missed 2PT Shot. Void in ONT. Me and my guys are trying to get to the Sweet 16, trying to go to New York," Johnson said. This what that looks like. Put another way: John Calipari is lucky that so far Tshiebwe hasnt had major foul trouble or suffered any significant injury, because UKs frontcourt would be just as hopeless as it was a year ago in either case. Sophomore Daimion Collins, a former five-star recruit who jumps out of the gym, also returned. "We weren't ready," he said after the game. Tshiebwe has made a huge jump statistically this season. Sometimes I get mad the way were shooting, because I need them to miss so I can grab some rebounds, but they keep making everything. Kentucky All-American Oscar Tshiebwe to work out for Bucks, Celtics In Caliparis five minute shooting drill at practice, Tshiebwe nailed 87 mid-range jump shots, second most to Kyle Wiltjer, who scored 89 back in 2011-12, according to Calipari himself throughout his tenure at Kentucky. Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Tshiebwe entered the game after the first TV timeout with 14:55 to go in the first half when Kentucky had a 6-4 lead over Michigan State. Antonio Reeves (22 points) and CJ Fredrick (20) were a strong backcourt tandem, and Kentucky showed depth in outscoring Howard's bench 32-15. The name on the national championship trophy is everybodys. But I came here to win a national championship. He was very adamant about that being what he wanted to do. These people want a banner, they expect a banner. So now were trying to fine-tune different things with him. 3 key traits needed for the next Wizards general manager, If the Wizards Franchise is truly serious about becoming contenders in the future, there are some important traits the next GM must have, Center prospects that could go in the first round of the NBA Draft, This is not considered an especially strong center class so not many players are likely to go in the first round. Hansbrough missed four games early in the season with shin and ankle injuries that scared me to death, Williams says. Saved as the lock screen of his phone: No. They give me much confidence. He's coming for more than a round of applause this time, too. With Tshiebwe on the floor, Kentucky averages 124.6 points per 100 possessions and allows just 86.4. Oscar told the students that he wants to play in the NBA one day, specifically for the Los Angeles Lakers. Kentucky basketball is going to benefit. Follow Kyle on Twitter @KyleTucker_ATH. Gambling Problem? Tuesdays overtime win against Mississippi State was a perfect example of Tshiebwes impact. He possesses substantial potential defensively . 3M; 0:24. Lost your password? Finishes well in transition and in the half-court as he doesnt need a gather before taking off Stays alert and has good hands. If his man is to the side, Tshiebwe typically holds him off with a forearm that looks like it belongs to a professional arm wrestler. Oscar Tshiebwe, 6'9, Kentucky, consensus ranking: 57 . While Tshiebwes rebounding prowess and ability to score was something that has become an expectation from the West Virginia transfer, he showed something fans werent expectinga jump shot. He could not let that be his ending. "Every time somebody shoots the ball, my mind is like, 'I'm a goalie. The first win is out of the way for UK, but nerves were never there to begin with. Some of my teammates were not ready. Could Oscar Tshiebwe, Chris Livingston and Antonio Reeves all return to Lexington? Why is Oscar Tshiebwe not even projected to be drafted? Thats good for an extra six points per game. At Kentucky's Pro Day in October, Tshiebwe had a vertical jump of 33 inches, which would have tied for 45th at last summer's NBA Scouting Combine. Eligibility restrictions apply. His 40-yard (4.51) ranked No. So with an NIL windfall as his safety net and hoping to improve on second-round feedback, Tshiebwe became the first Naismith Award winner to return to school since North Carolinas Tyler Hansbrough in 2008. Calipari also has a weapon in Grady he can use to manipulate the tag, putting the defense in a bind. I feel really good.". That, we promise. Tshiebwe isnt commonly mocked as a top-tier prospect, potentially slipping into the second round or going undrafted, so he may find it more lucrative to return to college for another year. Stats: 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, .9 assists 38.2% 3PT, 56.5% FG, 80.5% FT, Case for: shoots it, moves the ball well, held up against grown men in limited minutes, Case against: questionable athleticism, what else does he give you besides shooting, Stats: 16.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1 blocks, 1.6 steals, 0% 3PT, 56% FG, 72.9% FT, Case against: very limited offensively, undersized, no shooting, got hunted on defense this year, Stats: 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, .8 blocks, .7 steals, 36.5% 3PT, 60.6% FG, 76.6% FT, Case for: has improved as a shooter, runs the floor hard, physical, not afraid to bully-ball people, Case against: serious tunnel vision, probably undersized to play the way he does against NBA competition, may be the benefit of recency bias from a strong NCAA Tournament, Stats: 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, .8 blocks, .8 steals, 27.5% 3PT, 48.8% FG, 67.4% FT, Case for: big and pretty athletic, shown flashes of high-end offensive upside, Case against: still raw, could use more strength, should be a better shot-blocker than he is based on his tools, Stats: 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1 block, 16.7% 3PT, 61.6% FG, 63.2% FT, Case for: elite footwork, elite low-post scoring, maybe the best passing center in this draft, great in pick-and-roll, good track of Gonzaga bigs being able to translate. The major. (AP/James Crisp). 11/27/99 (23.4 yrs) Hometown. SBN Reacts: The Lakers are the biggest NBA villains again! Shows a good spin, flashes some moves and finesse touch in the paint occasionally but doesnt have much of an offensive game in the low post. Oscar Tshiebwe, Drew Timme top AP preseason All-America team - Yahoo News Still, it's been expected that even if he wasn't going to be drafted . I dont even have a place in my room to put them. INDIANAPOLIS -- Kentuckystar Oscar Tshiebwe showcased his impact on Tuesday when he finished with 22 points and 18 rebounds in his first game of the season following offseason knee surgery.