Dickie V names Oscar Tshiebwe Midseason Player of the Year
Legendary sportscaster Dick Vitale has named Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe as his “VBDI” Midseason Player of the Year. The Wildcat junior big man has burst onto the scene in his first full year in Lexington by averaging 15.8 points and 15.2 rebounds per game.
In his tweet, Vitale also named Duke forward Paolo Banchero as his “Diaper Dandy of the Year” and Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd as his Coach of the Year.
This wasn’t the first mention of Tshiebwe from Vitale, who last week named the forward as his National Player of the Week and referred to him as a “solid gold PTPER.“
The Congo native’s rise to the top of college basketball has caught some by surprise, but the work ethic he embodies is what is unmatched.
His 28-rebound performance against Western Kentucky in December is two more than the next highest individual mark in a single game in college basketball this season.
Tshiebwe’s season total of rebounds ranks as the top mark in the country, more than 2.0 rebounds per game above second place. To put that into perspective, the Kentucky forward has 349 rebounds this season. Utah Valley’s Fardaws Aimaq, who is second, has 291. That is a difference of 58 rebounds.
The stats don’t stop there. Only Aimaq has more double-doubles this season (19) and Tshiebwe’s 17 is tied with North Carolina’s Armando Bacot and Morehead State’s Johni Broome for second in the nation.
His season has been spectacular and it is safe to say Vitale won’t be the last to praise the UK big man.
Update on Vitale’s Health
For those that have been wondering why they haven’t had a dose of “Dickie V” on their televisions for a Kentucky game in recent months, it is due to ongoing health issues.
Last year, Vitale announced he had been diagnosed with Lymphoma and Melanoma, but he was cleared by medical personnel to call games beginning in November.
Sadly, late last month he was diagnosed with Dysplasia and has been placed on vocal rest. Due to this, he will not call any more games this season.
I know I speak for many in saying that it really doesn’t feel like college basketball without Vitale. He embodies everything that fans love about the game. When he is at a game, you know that he is loving every second of it.
I personally cannot wait until next season when we get a moment like this in Rupp Arena with the legend on the call. Get well soon Dickie V!
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