After being named the 2021-22 consensus men’s college basketball player of the year, Oscar Tshiebwe was named the G League Rookie of the Year on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Tshiebwe has been a rebounding machine for the Indiana Mad Ants. In 23 G League games, Tshiebwe is averaging 16.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks. He has connected on 55.7% of his field goal tries.
Tshiebwe’s rebounding average easily led the G League as Adama Sanogo of the Windy City Bulls was second at 12.7. It is also the highest average in a season in G League history.
Pacers Two-Way Player Named G League Rookie Of The Year
Standout Career at Kentucky for Tshiebwe
As mentioned, Tshiebwe was the consensus player of the year in college for the 2021-22 season. After two seasons playing for West Virginia, he transferred to Kentucky heading into his junior year. That is when his career really started to take off.
With the Wildcats, Tshiebwe couldn’t be contained from chewing up rebounds like nobody else in the country. In 2021-22, the six-foot-nine forward/center gobbled up 15.1 boards per game (5.3 on the offensive end). He also averaged 17.4 points, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks. His rebounding average led all of college basketball.
As a senior in 2022-23, Tshiebwe once again led the nation in rebounding at 13.7. While there was a slight dip in his numbers, he was still quite impactful. Tshiebwe went on to also average 16.5 points, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks. He was named a Second Team All-American.
Tshiebwe Went Undrafted Despite College Success
Despite being one of the most impactful college players in his two seasons at Kentucky, the 2023 NBA Draft came and went without Tshiebwe hearing his name called.
Tshiebwe went on to join the Indiana Pacers for their Summer League team. The Pacers later signed him to a two-way contract.
Tshiebwe has spent the majority of his time in the G League as he has only appeared in eight games for the Pacers. In those outings, he has averaged just 5.3 minutes per game totaling 26 points and 16 rebounds. His season debut came in the In-Season Tournament Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pacers have a quality depth chart at power forward and center making it difficult for Tshiebwe to make his mark in the NBA. On top of starting Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, the team also rosters Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, and Jarace Walker.
More must-reads: