Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe doubles up on top individual honors from NABC

The honors keep coming in for Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe.

Tshiebwe earned Division I Player of the Year honors from the NABC Tuesday morning, as well as the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year award. He had a monster year for the Wildcats, helping them to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“First of all, I want to thank God for everything that he has done for me and my family,” Tshiebwe said in a statement. “I want to also thank my coaches, the UK staff and most importantly my teammates for helping me to get to where I am today. I also want to thank the Big Blue Nation for your support. I’m very grateful for everything. God bless.”

Tshiebwe transferred to Kentucky this season after two years at West Virginia and blossomed under John Calipari. In fact, he’s the second player to win NABC Player of the Year under Calipari — and you have to go back to Calipari’s days at UMass for the last one. Marcus Camby earned the honors in 1996 when Calipari coached the Minutemen.

Tshiebwe averaged 17.4 points and 15.2 rebounds per game and ended the year with 21 straight double-doubles. He was also a Consensus All-American and the SEC Player of the Year this season. He’s also a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year award, meaning he might not be done adding to his trophy case.

“The things that he’s done haven’t been done for 50 years,” Calipari said in a statement. “Let me say this again, the things that he’s done haven’t been done for 50 years. He plays his heart out and finds ways to impact every game. I’m proud of him, and it’s not only on the court. He’s so thankful and faith-based and he’s a joy to coach.”

Kentucky finished the year 26-8 overall and 14-4 in SEC play. The Wildcats were a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and fell to No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s in the first round of the big dance.