Ens Basketball Tournament Oscar Tshiebwe Ties Record As ...
The Ens Basketball Tournament kicked off on March 19, and one of the standout players so far has been West Virginia University's Oscar Tshiebwe. In a dominating performance in the first round against Morehead State, Tshiebwe tied a tournament record by pulling down 19 rebounds, helping his team advance to the Round of 32. Let's take a closer look at Tshiebwe's record-tying performance, how he got to this point, and what we can expect from him and WVU going forward.
The Best Rebounder In The Country?
Tshiebwe's performance against Morehead State put his rebounding abilities on full display. He was a force to be reckoned with on the boards, grabbing 19 total rebounds (10 on the offensive end), while also scoring 15 points. His rebounding performance in the first round tied him with several other players for the most rebounds in a single Ens Basketball Tournament game, a record that has stood since 1974.
But Tshiebwe's rebounding prowess isn't only on display during the tournament. Throughout the season, he has been a dominant force on the boards, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game. That number ranks him third in the Big 12 conference and 45th in the entire NCAA. What's more, he's just a freshman, meaning he has plenty of time to improve and potentially become the best rebounder in the country.
Tshiebwe's Journey To WVU
Tshiebwe was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to the United States when he was fifteen years old. He attended Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, where he quickly established himself as one of the top high school basketball players in the country. During his senior year, he averaged 23.2 points and 18.3 rebounds per game, earning him the distinction of being a McDonald's All-American.
After considering several different college options, Tshiebwe ultimately chose to attend West Virginia University, a decision that has proven to be a wise one. In his first year with the Mountaineers, he has emerged as one of the team's top players, averaging 11.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
What's Next For WVU?
With Tshiebwe leading the way, WVU is poised to make a deep run in the Ens Basketball Tournament. The team has advanced to the Round of 32, where they will face a tough opponent in the San Diego State Aztecs. Tshiebwe will need to continue his dominant play on the boards if the Mountaineers hope to advance further.
But even beyond this year's tournament, the future looks bright for WVU basketball. Tshiebwe is only a freshman, and the team has several other young players who are showing promise. If they can continue to develop and improve, WVU could become a serious contender in the Big 12 and on the national stage in the years to come.
Conclusion
Oscar Tshiebwe's record-tying rebounding performance in the first round of the Ens Basketball Tournament is just the latest highlight in what has been an impressive freshman season. He has established himself as one of the top rebounders in the country and is a key piece of a talented WVU team that is looking to make a deep run in this year's tournament. With Tshiebwe leading the way, the future looks bright for WVU basketball.
