Oscar Tshiebwe Wins Naismith Player of the Year

Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe Captures Naismith Trophy (Photo by UK Athletics)

Kentucky Wildcats center Oscar Tshiebwe has been recognized with multiple awards this spring for his success on and off the hardwood throughout the 2021-2022 college basketball season. On Sunday, Tshiebwe added to that list and was awarded one of the most prestigious honors by receiving the Naismith Player of the Year trophy.

Tshiebwe is the second player in program history to win the Naismith award, being recognized exactly one decade after former Wildcat Anthony Davis was in 2012. He’s the third player to win the award under head coach John Calipari as Marcus Camby was honored during his playing career at the University of Massachusetts in 1996. Tshiebwe joins Davis and the legendary Pistol “Pete” Maravich as the third player in Southeastern Conference history to win the award.

In addition to being recognized as Naismith Player of the Year, Tshiebwe been awarded Player of the Year for The Sporting News, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association. The Wooden Award winner will be announced on Tuesday with Tshiebwe looking to become the first Wildcat in program history to be recognized for winning all six awards.

Following an infamous 2020-2021 season, Oscar Tshiebwe was exactly what Kentucky and their fans needed. The consensus all-American put together a magical season for the Wildcats, doubling his averages in nearly every statistical category and leading the country in rebounding. His leadership on and off the court, his connection with Big Blue Nation and pure love for the game of basketball brought joy and success back to the sport’s most historical program. Tshiebwe was the heart and soul of the Wildcats, leaving every ounce of effort on the court. He was often the first player to grab the rebound and would – incredibly – be the first player back down at the other end of the court. His will to hustle, play selfless and compete until the clock hit zero made him the dream teammate.

Tshiebwe joins Davis as the only two Wildcats since 1978 to lead the team in points, rebounds, steals, blocks and field goal percentage. While Tshiebwe won’t receive near the pre-draft hype that Davis was showered with in 2012, he was as impactful or perhaps even more valuable to his team in his first season with the Wildcats. Big Blue Nation can only hope and pray that his decision, which could come soon, is to play another year for head coach John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.