Oscar Tshiebwe named 2023-24 NBA G League Rookie of the Year

As it turns out, rebounding translates from college to the pros quite easily. Well, it does for Oscar Tshiebwe, at least.

On Tuesday afternoon, Tshiebwe was tabbed as the NBA G League Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. During his rookie campaign with the Indiana Mad Ants (the Indiana Pacers’ G League affiliate), Tshiebwe averaged 16.4 points and 16.1 rebounds per contest while shooting 57.4 percent from the floor across 33 combined games played (23 regular season games, 10 Showcase Cup games).

Tshiebwe set the Mad Ants’ franchise record for rebounds in a single season (532) and leads the G League in double-doubles with 27, including six games with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. His 28 rebounds on Nov. 22 also set a single-game franchise record while his 16.2 rebounds per outing (regular season games only) set a new G League single-season record.

A BIG season from Big O!

After averaging 16.2 PTS & 16.2 REB, leading the G League in rebounding, and posting four games with 20+ PTS & 20+ REB, @TheMadAnts and @Pacers Two-Way center Oscar Tshiebwe (@Oscartshiebwe34) is your 2023-24 @Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year! pic.twitter.com/1eV9aTx7t7

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 2, 2024

After spending two incredible seasons at Kentucky — being named an All-American twice and winning the 2022 National Player of the Year — Tshiebwe went unselected in the 2023 NBA Draft but was quickly picked up by the Pacers for the NBA Summer League. He then signed a Two-Way contract with the Pacers in July and spent his rookie campaign splitting time between the NBA and the G League.

Tshiebwe has even appeared in eight NBA games for the Pacers this season, averaging 3.3 points and two rebounds in 5.3 minutes per contest. His best outing came on Dec. 16 in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves: eight points (3-6 FG), four rebounds, and one assist in just seven minutes.

As a reward for his impressive play in the G League this season, Tshiebwe was brought to the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, participating in the Rising Stars game. That same weekend, he also suited up in the G League Up Next games, making the game-winning free throw in the championship game for Team EYL.

Across his two seasons at Kentucky (2021-23), Tshiebwe averaged 16.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58.4 percent from the field. He was named National and SEC Player of the Year in 2022, along with a consensus First Team All-American. The following season, he was a consensus Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC representative.

How long before Tshiebwe’s contract gets converted into a full-time NBA deal?