Kentucky basketball landed a commitment from West Virginia transfer Oscar Tshiebwe on Sunday, just nine days after the Mountaineers announced that the preseason All-Big 12 selection would be leaving the program due to personal reasons. The 6-foot-9 former McDonald’s All-American averaged 11.2 points and 9.3 rebounds as a freshman before seeing his role and productivity decline in the first 10 games this season.
Though Tshiebwe likely will not be eligible until next season at the earliest, landing a proven big man is a big get for the Wildcats, who have become increasingly reliant on transfers to counter-balance their annual influx of talented freshmen. Tshiebwe is not a perimeter or threat or a great rim protector. But he is an elite rebounder and effective post scorer capable of bullying opponents with his physicality.
