To boost the roster, Utah Jazz has sealed a two-way contract that will see forward Oscar Tshiebwe join the team. The Jazz have also released guard Taevion Kinsey as part of Tshiebwe’s acquisition. Team regulations prevent them from providing any further details regarding Tshiebwe’s deal.
Oscar Tshiebwe is a giant, standing tall at 6’9 and weighing in at 260 pounds; he comes to the Jazz after being with the Indiana Pacers during the 2023-24 NBA season. Despite appearing in only eight NBA games and averaging just 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game within an average time on the court of 5.3 minutes, he had an immense impact while playing for the NBA G-League.
In recognition of his exploits there, he was crowned Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year and gained a place on the All-NBA G League First Team. Over 23 regular season games, including 21 starts with the Indiana Mad Ants, he averaged impressive figures of 16.2 points and 16.0 rebounds, alongside 1.5 assists in 27.2 minutes per game.
Tshiebwe’s Collegiate Dominance
Tshiebwe was born in Congo, but his love for basketball took him to America, where he spent two seasons at West Virginia University before joining Kentucky University for another two seasons.
He excelled amazingly throughout his four years of college basketball by averaging double-double figures with nearly three blocked shots (14.5 ppg). Notably, though, was last year as a junior when he earned unanimous National Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year honors, leading all college players with an average of 15.2 rebounds per game and posting a total of 28 double-doubles.
His senior year was no different as he topped all rebounders nationally (13.7 rpg) while also making unanimous second-team All-America. On the other hand, Taevion Kinsey left the Salt Lake City Stars last season after playing an important role.
He made 23 starts from 34 games and played for an average of 30.8 minutes, with per-game statistics as follows: 11.8 points, 3.4 boards, and 2.2 dimes.
