Over the course of his first professional season, Oscar Tshiebwe, a favorite among Kentucky basketball fans, has gained a new set of supporters. This weekend, the former Wildcat will be back on national television as part of the NBA’s All-Star Game festivities.
Tshiebwe is one of 28 players who will participate in the Panini Rising Stars Game on Friday night. The game is a showcase for young basketball talent that includes standouts from the G League, second-year players, and NBA rookies.
Tshiebwe, a two-time All-American at UK and previous national player of the year, is currently in his debut season in the Indiana Pacers organization. He is on a two-way contract that allows him to divide time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants.
Tshiebwe’s teammate from Kentucky the previous season, rookie Cason Wallace of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will also be playing with him. “One-and-done” Oscar Tshiebwe, a UK playerOscar Tshiebwe was also chosen for the Rising Stars tournament, which will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and air on TNT at 9 p.m. on Friday. Tshiebwe practiced with the Cats during the last semester of the 2021–22 season, but he never played before joining the Portland Trail Blazers as a lottery pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
Not selected the previous season, Tshiebwe leads the G League in rebounds per game (12.6), and in only 22.5 minutes over 11 games in the developmental league, he adds 12.2 points. Despite not receiving much playing time at the highest level, he has spent the most of the season with the Pacers and has left a lasting effect on the team.
Following Tshiebwe’s selection for Friday’s game, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle remarked, “Oscar’s a great story.” “What a lovely child he is. Everyone in our company, from top to bottom, adores him. He simply has such a kind disposition. He never stops grinning. He is content no matter what. He talks about eating rebounds all the time. preparing to consume rebounds. “Compost more food.” He is also a machine. He is an apparatus. Thus, it’s extremely awesome.
