Oscar Tshiebwe works out for Portland Trail Blazers

The NBA Draft is less than a week away and Oscar Tshiebwe is still crisscrossing the country to meet with teams. Yesterday, Oscar worked out for the Portland Trail Blazers, who hold the Nos. 3, 23, and 43 picks in next Thursday’s draft. The former Kentucky center was one of six players to take part in the workout, along with Myles Burns (Ole Miss), Antoine Davis (Detroit Mercy), Max Lewis (Pepperdine), Sir’Jabari Rice (Texas), and DeAndre Williams (Memphis).

Oscar won over the group of reporters afterward, talking about his journey from the Congo to the United States and how he became a rebounding “machine.” Since leaving Kentucky, the former national player of the year said he’s improved his shooting (he said he made some threes in the workout) and defense, especially in the pick-and-roll.

“I’ve gotten a lot better,” Oscar said. “Today I shot the ball really good, set a good ball screen, go to the rim, dunk, finishing strong, making passes, being able to stop the ball, being able to move your feet. I’ve gotten a lot better today. I’ve proven more.”

“Defensively, it’s getting better. It’s getting better. Pick and roll defense is getting a lot better and being able to communicate, being able to switch, stay in front to guard, being able to contest, everything is getting a lot better and I’m proud I’m getting better.”

When asked about his time at Kentucky, Oscar said he learned how to be a leader, which he believes will aid him in helping an NBA team win a title one day.

“You’ve got to learn from tough times. You don’t learn from the good times sometimes. Tough times, I learned that you gotta be responsible, you gotta be able to lead, to communicate. You’ve got to be able to carry your team and when things are not going right, rely on each other. I learned all those things. That’s why I believe one day I will help a team win a championship in the NBA.”

Oscar isn’t listed in most of the major mock drafts but is ranked the No. 60 best available player by ESPN and No. 72 by The Athletic. He is one of four former Wildcats hoping to hear his name called next Thursday along with Cason Wallace, Jacob Toppin, and Chris Livingston.

Oscar averaged 16.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in his second year in Lexington and fourth overall at the collegiate level. Oscar’s first year at Kentucky was one of the most dominant in recent memory both at the school and in the sport overall. He averaged 17.4 points, 15.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per contest before sweeping player of the year honors.

Oscar said yesterday was his 13th workout thus far. Here are the ones we know of:

• Boston Celtics (No. 35)
• Houston Rockets (Nos. 4, 20)
• Milwaukee Bucks (No. 58)
• Sacramento Kings (Nos. 24, 38, 54)
• Atlanta Hawks (Nos. 15, 46)
• Los Angeles Lakers (Nos. 17, 47)
• Washington Wizards (Nos. 8, 42, 57)
• Brooklyn Nets (Nos. 21, 22, 51)
• Indiana Pacers (Nos. 7, 26, 29, 32, 55)
• Portland Trail Blazers (Nos. 3, 23, 43)

The NBA Draft is next Thursday night at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN. Until then, enjoy his interview with the Portland media below (they are seriously head over heels for him) along with some highlights from the workout.