Oscar Tshiebwe Named SEC Player of the Week

Oscar Tshiebwe did not like missing shots last week. That’s why he’s earned SEC Player of the Week honors.

The Kentucky center was about as close to perfect as you can get. Against Florida and Auburn he shot a combined 20-of-23 (87%) from the field to average 23.5 points per game. It’s the sixth time a Wildcat has earned SEC Player of the Week honors this season, but just the second appearance for the reigning National Player of the Year.

Oscar Tshiebwe started the week with a bang. After going just 2-of-14 in his first meeting with the Gators, Oscar responded by knocking down 12-of-13 shots to score 25 points in Gainesville. According to ESPN Stats and Info, his 92% FG is the highest by a Kentucky player in a 25-point game over the last 25 seasons. It was his third career 25-point game against the Gators. He’s the only UK player to post 25+ points against the same opponent three times in the last 25 years. In the win over Florida Tshiebwe became the 61st Wildcat to join the 1,000-point club.

He followed that performance up with his 16th double-double of the season. Oscar Tshiebwe led the Cats with 22 points and 17 rebounds in a 32-point win over Auburn. With 44 in 61 career games, he moved past Jim Andrews with the third-most double-doubles in Kentucky basketball history.

Even though he’s averaging 16.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per contest, Oscar Tshiebwe didn’t look like the old Oscar Tshiebwe for about a month. John Calipari moved the big man away from the basket and Tshiebwe appears rejuvenated.

“Oscar, can you see he’s getting his confidence back?” Calipari asked during his postgame press conference. He’s returned to form just in time to lead the now Top 25 Wildcats on an NCAA Tournament run