Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe joined some elite company after winning his second All-America award on Tuesday.
Kentucky Wildcats star forward Oscar Tshiebwe is widely regarded as one of the strongest big men in college basketball, and his latest accolade just goes to prove it.
On Tuesday, Tshiebwe was named to The Sporting News’ All-America Third Team, making him the first Wildcat to win two All-America nods since Taurean Prince in 2001 and 2002.
Throughout the Wildcats’ history, 24 Kentucky players have earned All-America awards in multiple seasons, though Tshiebwe and Prince are the only ones to have received the distinction in this century.
The senior forward is currently leading the country with 13.1 rebounds per game, and he’s been on a roll this season with a team-high 16.4 points per game.
2022 is the second straight year that Tshiebwe has led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounds; he also has tallied 18 double-doubles this season, the highest amount in the SEC.
Oscar Tshiebwe breathes rarefied air with Taurean Prince in Kentucky
The Congo native recorded double-digit points in each of Kentucky’s last seven games, helping the Cats prepare for an SEC Tournament run ahead of getting a projected NCAA Tournament berth.
Tshiebwe makes his living in the paint and may have adopted a more physical, old school style of play, yet it’s clearly been working for him in his college career. The elite rebounder can’t stop winning awards, adding “two-time All-America” to his long list of impressive achievements which include finishing as a John R. Wooden Award finalist and Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist.
Tshiebwe missed a few games early in the season due to a knee injury but has since served as the perfect picture of health. Surrounded by a supporting cast of savvy shooters and five-star signees, he’s slowly making his way up Kentucky’s all-time basketball program rankings in total rebounds (he ranks eighth overall) and total points (he ranks 52nd overall).
Keep in mind Tshiebwe transferred to Kentucky from West Virginia and has only been with the Wildcats for two seasons. As a projected second-round pick in the NBA draft, Tshiebwe still has his whole career ahead of him.
