Former Kentucky Wildcat named G-League Rookie of the Year

This former Wildcat is off to a strong start in professional basketball.

Feb 16, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Team Detlef center Oscar Tshiebwe (44) of the Indiana Mad / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

An all-time Kentucky great wasn't selected in last year's NBA Draft, which is still a bit of a shock.

Because of his size and play style, Oscar Tshiebwe wasn't selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, but he was picked up by the Indiana Pacers and played for their G-League team, the Indiana Mad Ants.

On the season, the former Wildcat Tshiebwe averaged 16.4 points and an absurd 16.1 rebounds per game for the Mad Ants. Thanks to these impressive numbers from Tshiebwe in his rookie season, he took home NBA G-League Rookie of the Year honors.

Avereaging 16/16 makes the former Kentucky big man fully deserving of this award but it just continues to raise the question why won't the Pacers, or any NBA team, take a shot on Tshiebwe.

It's no secret that Tshiebwe's play style doesn't fit in the NBA, as he is a center but only stands 6'8. While Tshiebwe didn't attempt any three-point shots this season for the Mad Ants, he was pretty good at making mid-range jump shots.

No one plays harder than Big O, as Big Blue Nation calls Tshiebwe, which is why you would think an NBA team would love his ability to rebound and score around the rim.

Tshiebwe did score his first career NBA points this season for the Pacers and spent a few games with the team.

Congrats to the Kentucky fan favorite on being named the G-League Rookie of the Year and hopefully he spends the season with the Pacers next year.