WATCH: Oscar Tshiebwe's National Player of the Year campaign

MrsTylerKSR

The Oscar nominations are being announced this morning, and Kentucky Basketball offered one of its own for consideration. Oscar Tshiebwe‘s National Player of the Year campaign just went live on social media, and it’s definitely #OscarWorthy.

An Oscar-Worthy resume for National POY

Accompanying the movie trailer is a website dedicated to Oscar’s many accomplishments, UKAthletics.com/OscarWorthy. As you probably know, Oscar leads the nation in rebounding (15.2), offensive rebounds per game (5.1), and defensive rebounding percentage (36.6%). He ranks second nationally in double-doubles, with 17, and has five 20+ rebound games this season. He’s also the only Power 5 player averaging at least 1.4 blocks and 1.9 steals per game.

Already this season, Oscar broke Shaquille O’Neal’s Rupp Arena rebounding record by grabbing 28 and out-rebounding the entire Western Kentucky basketball team. A month later, he had 21 points and 22 rebounds against Mississippi State, the first 20-20 game by a Wildcat since Mike Phillips in 1976. Kentucky ranks eighth nationally in rebounding and Tshiebwe is responsible for 40% of those boards.

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Oscar is on the watch list for the Lute Olson and John R. Wooden national player of the year honors and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, given to the nation’s top center. The Sporting News and The Athletic also named Tshiebwe to their midseason All-America Teams, and he’s among 10 finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honor.

“I can’t wait to send it to my mom”

Last night, Kentucky released a sneak peek of the campaign featuring Oscar’s reaction. After being mobbed by his teammates — including TyTy Washington, who does an excellent Oscar impression — the big man says, “I can’t wait to send it to my mom. She’ll be so proud.”