Oscar Tshiebwe set records in the G League -- is a call-up to the NBA in his future?

After two straight seasons of pure domination in the G League, is Oscar Tshiebwe‘s future with the NBA?

Tshiebwe, 25, has been setting records in the NBA’s developmental program ever since leaving Kentucky (where he set even more records) following the 2022-23 college season. Across 23 games played as a rookie in 2023-24, the 6-foot-9 big man averaged 16.2 points and an outstanding 16.1 rebounds per outing for the Indiana Mad Ants (the Pacers’ G League affiliate). He did this as an undrafted free agent out of UK, landing a two-way contract with the Pacers that ultimately saw him play eight real NBA games. The result was being named the G League’s Rookie of the Year and a spot on the All-NBA G League First Team.

But Tshiebwe’s run in 2024-25 was somehow even more impressive. The tanking Utah Jazz picked him up not long before the season began on a two-way contract. He went on to start all 26 games he played in for the Jazz’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. Not only did Tshiebwe score 17.1 points per outing on 59.2 percent shooting, but he also set a G League record by hauling in 19 rebounds per contest.

Yes, you read that correctly: 19 rebounds per game! 16 of those 26 games saw him grab at least 20 boards, which included one especially impressive rebounding performance, marking a career-high of 30. Just off defensive rebounds alone (10.7 per game), he was averaging a double-double in 2024-25. Don’t forget about his additional per-game averages of 3.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and one block, either. He was again tabbed All-NBA G League First Team for his season-long efforts.

Oscar Tshiebwe had the GREATEST rebounding season in G League history! ⭐️

The @utahjazz Two-Way signee posted 17.1 PPG and an all-time league record 19.0 RPG last season for the @slcstars. He had sixteen 20+ REB games including a career-high 30 REB vs. the Wolves. pic.twitter.com/pP1Zrjs6qY

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) June 9, 2025

Tshiebwe’s powerful reign in the G League allowed him more run in the NBA as a sophomore than as a rookie. It still wasn’t much, but he was effective and efficient with his playing time. He saw 14 games of action, including one start, with the Utah Jazz, most of those opportunities coming down the stretch of the regular season in March and April.

In only 18.2 minutes per outing for the Jazz, Tshiebwe averaged 7.6 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the floor. He finished the season with three straight double-doubles: 17 points and 10 rebounds against the Trail Blazers; 10 points and 14 rebounds against the Thunder; and 18 points and 12 rebounds against the Timberwolves. If we take away the minimum games played requirement, we find that Tshiebwe led the entire NBA in rebounds per 40 minutes with 19.1, according to the league’s website.

Will Tshiebwe’s late-season play parlay itself into a real NBA contract? Granted, that stretch came against lesser competition late in the regular season, but the former Wildcat at least proved he can make an impact at the highest level of basketball. He’s considered a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Jazz can match any offer made by the other 29 NBA franchises. It’s likely he’ll get some run in the NBA’s Summer League — another opportunity to showcase his worth.

Even in today’s modern game, there is value in a historically great rebounder who can score around the rim.