Oscar Tshiebwe (UK Athletics Photo)
Oscar Tshiebwe certainly had success during his freshman season at West Virginia and part of his sophomore year before he transferred to Kentucky at midseason. He talked with Kentucky media members for the first time Wednesday about how he thinks he will be used next season by coach John Calipari. He practiced the second semester with the Cats last season.
“That was great to play with somebody else big. I did not really get the space. The system (West Virginia) that we were playing, it was really clogged up, but it was good. Like, we were dominant in it whoever we’d go against,” Tshiebwe said.
“But as I see Kentucky, the way that we play here is way different than how West Virginia played. They (UK) play one in and four out. They give you a lot of opportunities to go one-on-one.
“They give you a lot of opportunity with a double team and then you kick the ball outside. That is a great system. I feel like I’m in the right place.”
John Calipari wants to believe that, too, after last year’s 9-16 season. The UK coach wasted no time going after Tshiebwe once he announced he was transferring and is counting on him to be a major piece in UK’s rebuilding effort next season.
Tshiebwe understands he had holes in his game. He’s been working to improve his game before next season.
“I’ve got to get better on my jump shot, post moves like always,” the West Virginia transfer said. “I had a conversation with Coach Cal and he said, ‘Don’t forget the things that brought you here. The things you do better, don’t forget those. You have to continue to get better on the things that you can do best and keep learning the new stuff.’
“That’s what I’m learning. I told them they can teach me the game of basketball. That’s because I’m new in this game. I’ve got a lot to learn. That’s why I’m listening to them all of the time.”
