INDIANAPOLIS — The G League Next Up game, which will be held in Indianapolis during All-Star weekend, will have a local participant.
Indiana Mad Ants center Oscar Tshiebwe, who is currently on a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers, will take part in the festivities. He has been tremendous for the Mad Ants this season and is a worthy selection to the event — which is effectively a G League All-Star game.
"Oscar's a great story," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of Tshiebwe last month. The rookie big man is averaging 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in six NBA appearances this season. "He's got such a warm personality... he's a machine. It's really cool."
In the G League, Tshiebwe has been phenomenal. He's working on refining his offensive game, and while he does that, he is the best rebounder in the league. He routinely says he wants to "dominate" the boards, and he does so every time he hits the court.
In 20 G League outings this season, Tshiebwe is averaging 14.4 points and 14 rebounds per game. He's a monster on the glass in a way that changes games, a skill that was obvious before he played a minute in the pros.
Thsiebwe is playing for team Earn Your Leisure in the event. Trevelin Queen, who was with the Pacers and Mad Ants last season, is his teammate. Queen played in the Next Up game last year, too.
"Great opportunity to showcase what I can do," the guard said at the time.
Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins clarified last month that he has a role in the event. "Coaching one of the G League teams," he said. Other Mad Ants staffers will have roles in the games as well.
The Next Up game is really three outings as a part of a tournament-style bracket. It will take place at the Indiana Convention Center on Sunday, February 18 in the G League Park during the NBA crossover events.
Tshiebwe's All-Star weekend participation doesn't end there. He was also invited to play in the Rising Stars event as one of the G League players — Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin will also be in the showcase. Tshiebwe is going to be a busy man in Indianapolis later this month.
That has been the story of his season. Splitting time between the G League and the NBA can be challenging, but Tshiebwe has handled it well and produced. He is a worthy invitee to the Next Up Game as well as the Rising Stars festivities and will hope to represent the Pacers and Mad Ants well.
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