Oscar Tshiebwe was named Wooden Award winner on Tuesday. (Photo by UK Athletics)
Dan Issel. Kyle Macy. Anthony Davis. Jamal Mashburn. Antoine Walker. Tony Delk. Kenny Walker. Rajon Rondo. Tayshaun Prince. Keith Bogans. John Wall. The list goes on and on. The history of Kentucky basketball is decorated with so many great players. The program’s eight national championship banners speak to the success many of those great players had during their time in Lexington and though the Wildcats were sent home early this postseason, star center Oscar Tshiebwe managed to put together a season of achievements that no former Kentucky player has accomplished.
Tshiebwe received the Wooden Award on Tuesday, granting him Kentucky’s first unanimous National Player of the Year in school history. In addition to the Wooden Award, Kentucky’s fan favorite was recognized as Player of the Year by The Sporting News, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Associated Press, the United States Basketball Writers Association and the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
In addition to being the first Kentucky player to receive all six awards, he’s also the first player of the Southeastern Conference to reach that level of success.
Every Kentucky fan knows how exceptional of a rebounder Tshiebwe is. After all, leading the country in rebounding is pretty incredible. However, his ability to be Kentucky’s go-to option on offense was slept on from time-to-time. Tshiebwe had 25 or more points in seven games this season with his final performance of the year being a 30 & 16 double-double. He led the Wildcats in points, rebounds, steals, blocks and field-goal percentage. There wasn’t a moment where you felt like Tshiebwe wasn’t going to leave it all on the court and that effort didn’t go unnoticed.
While we all sit on the edge of our seats awaiting his decision, now is the time to appreciate just how incredible Tshiebwe is as a player as well as a person. With all due respect to the rest of the athletes competing in college basketball this year, there wasn’t a player more deserving than Kentucky’s big man. In an era where the game of basketball has shifted away from the center position, Tshiebwe made history in his first season wearing Kentucky blue. Regardless of what he decides to do going forward, he has more than earned his place in the history of the Kentucky basketball program.
8 Responses
Tshiebwe is the reason I watched the games I did this year. Last years team, and my growing disgust of Cal, have caused me to find better things to do with my time. However, Tshiebwe gave me a reason to watch. He never took plays off. He tried to be the best at the things he could do, and he was willing to fight for his time and place on the court. He is the only player on this team I can actually say that about. Yes, all of the players had their moments throughout the season, but Tshiebwe played every game like it might be his last. He was a pleasure to watch, and the more I learned about him, he must be a pleasure to be around.
IMpossible not to love Oscar
Ditto that OldFan. He will always be a UK great. One of the finest young men to ever wear the blue and white, probably my favorite. He will be remembered also for his faith in God that he portrayed daily. I wish him all the best in the years ahead.
Thank you, ‘Old Fan.’
You wrote everything that I was thinking. The previous few years of UK basketball with man-to-man defense, boring pass a few times, heave something up after a pass not ‘on the money, or maybe look for a dribble drive was predictable and boring. The other coach could often figure out how to adjust their team while our coach did not. If the team was ‘on’ they could beat someone. Hoping they hire an assistant coach that can create plays, exploit the weaknesses in other teams.! We did all find out this year how important defensive rebounds and offensive rebounds really are. I’m not sure we would’ve beaten anyone without Oscar. He truly deserves every accolade that can be given to 2 players. He’s better than 2 great players combined.
Thank you, Oscar.
Dena I think there are talented assistant coaches here now. Just depends on what they are allowed to do
Larry i think the assistant coaches are yes men and if they aren’t we would have seen something different in March instead of the same old dribble drive jam up the middle throw up a prayer game. The best assistant we have had is the new coach at Louisville. And I see Him leading the Cards to dominate the Cats in the future.
As a 75 year continuous UK basketball fan I’ve seen all the great centers down through the decades beginning with Alex Groza in 1947. As most long-time UK fans will attest we’ve had some great ones, but none better than Oscar Tshiebwe. He not only embodies all the athletic traits of an outstanding basketball player, but is truly a great ambassador for the Univ. of Kentucky. In press conferences his eloquence shines forth, and in his personal life "Humanitarian" best describes him. Congratulations on all your awards Oscar; they are well deserved and I feel you are destined for great achievements in life!
Groza, Issel, Davis, and Tshiebwe…Kentucky’s version of The Four Horsemen