Oscar Tshiebwe named Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week
Have a week, Oscar Tshiebwe. Previously named SEC Player of the Week after averaging 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in wins at Florida and vs. Auburn, the Kentucky star center has now earned Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced on Tuesday.
It’s the eighth time a UK player has earned the prestigious award since its inception during the 2009-10 season and the first since Tshiebwe received the award in December of last season. Other UK honorees include Nick Richards (2019-20), PJ Washington (2018-19), Kevin Knox (2017-18), Malik Monk (2016-17), Julius Randle (2013-14) and Doron Lamb (2010-11).
Tshiebwe went for a game-high 25 points, four boards and three assists against Florida. He then totaled 22 points and 17 rebounds to go along with a pair of steals in the dominating win over Auburn. Tshiebwe’s 92.3% field-goal percentage against Florida was the best field-goal clip with at least 13 attempts in program history, and the fourth-best with a minimum of eight attempts.
The 25-point performance at Florida was his third game this season with at least 25 points in a game and the 10th of his career. Tshiebwe also became the 61st player in program history to amass 1,000 points in a career as a Wildcat.
He then generated his 16th double-double of the season with 22 points and 17 rebounds against Auburn. He has 44 in 61 career games as a UK player and now sits in third place overall for career double-doubles in program history. It was his fifth 20-15 game of the year and the 12th during his time at Kentucky.
For the season, Tshiebwe is averaging 16.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per contest. He’s the only player in the country averaging at least 15.0 points, at least 12.0 rebounds, at least 1.5 steals and at least 1.0 blocks per game.
The Oscar Robertson Player of the Week honor culminates with the Oscar Robertson Trophy, which Tshiebwe won a season ago. Awarded to the national player of the Year by the USBWA at the end of the season, it bears the name and image of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson.
Tshiebwe and the Wildcats will host Vanderbilt for a 7 p.m. ET Wednesday matchup with the Commodores. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard