NBA Comparison: Trevor Booker/Danny Fortson

Strengths: Rebounds the ball at an elite level. In four years of college, his total rebound rate never fell below 21.7%. career offensive rebound rate of 19.4%, and defensive rebound rate of 29.3% (with career high of 34.6%). Has extremely strong hands, once the ball is in his hands he rarely loses it. Has a 7’3.5” wingspan despite his less than ideal size. Is extremely good at getting the position he wants, especially in anticipation of rebounding. Not afraid to be physical down low. Uses his strong, compact frame to move other players around. Runs the floor extremely well, and excels as a rim runner in transition. Is able to finish strong in transition, and can pull out the occasional finesse move to get to the rim when needed. While still not considered a good passer out of the post, has shown growth in that area. Very active defensively, is able to force turnovers and get deflections and steals. Has good defensive instincts and can anticipate offensive actions well enough to get into position to stop them. Has developed a mid-range shot that he comfortable with out to about 15-18 feet from the top of the key and the corners. Is a good screener who can be a good pick and pop option with his mid-range shooting ability.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size for someone that is strictly a center (stood 6’7.25” without shoes). Largely a below the rim player that relies on positioning. While he is a fast sprinter, the rest of his athleticism leaves a lot to be desired. Had the second slowest lane agility time at the Combine. Gets hunted defensively in the pick and roll due to his lack of lateral quickness. Is most comfortable playing exclusively drop coverage in the pick and roll, but gives up a lot of open shots because of this. Kentucky tried to adjust by having him jump out on ball handlers for a time, but his lack of length made it difficult for him to recover to his man if the ball handler was able to throw it over the top. Plays primarily below the rim and struggles mightily against height and length. Can get frustrated at times when fighting for position, leading him to get fouls for trying to carve out space with his elbows. Can be slow to process things on the offensive end, leading to offensive stagnation. While his mid-range shot is largely good, it is slow and segmented, which allows defenders to recover. While he can hit the mid-range shot, he really only shoots it from three spots on the court: the two corners and top of the key. Not a ballhandler, really only comfortable on straight line drives. Can get in trouble when he gets a rebound and tries to lead the beak.

Outlook: Oscar Tshiebwe is a great college basketball player, but he is not the type of player the NBA values right now. He is very similar to a Reggie Evans in that he has a niche that can actually help a team, but he lacks so many other aspects of his game that he’s too big of a liability to be a consistent producer. We’ve seen players become literally unplayable in playoff series more and more, and Tshiebwe is the type of player that could find himself in that sort of situation against a number of teams. His struggles against taller, longer athletes will be a problem in a league where that becomes the norm. He could potentially find himself a role in the league as a reserve big that comes in, sets screens, and gets rebounds, but the odds that he finds himself playing a vital role for a contending team seem to be very low at this point.

Notes: Measured 6′ 7.25” barefoot, 9′ 0.00” standing reach, 253.6 lbs and a 7′ 3.50” wingspan and a 29.5 inch standing vertical and a 32.5′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …

Eric Yearian 6/2/23

Strengths: Historically elite rebounder of the basketball both offensively and defensively … Has a high level understanding of positioning and uses that to find openings for rebounds … Extremely strong hands – if he gets his hands on the ball, it will almost never be knocked away … Has a quick second and third jump, which allows him to tip the ball to himself … Is a capable shooter out to about 17-18 feet … Has shown noticeable improvement in his footwork and post moves … Is able to get shots away even against length by utilizing good body positioning, different shot angles, and a quick release … Shoots a very good percentage from the field … Is willing to pass out of the post and does a good job of re-posting … Has developed better vision and passing out of the post as the season has progressed … Has a relentless motor on both ends of the court … Averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.9 steals per game as a disruptive force on that end … Good post defender who can also step outside and play defense on the perimeter without getting exposed too often … Rarely gets in foul trouble despite consistently being around the ball on that end …

Weaknesses: Lacks top level size (6 foot 9) and athleticism to be a can’t-miss prospect at the next level … Can look uncomfortable against longer players, especially when he can’t out-muscle them … Can get into a habit of trying to rebound his own miss before he’s even shot the ball, leading to misses, especially on his jumpshots … Can be slow to adjust to double teams in the post. Is more comfortable dribbling than his skill level warrants, often tries to push after getting a steal and can get himself in tough situations or turn the ball back over … His scoring comes almost exclusively from right around the rim or free throw line jumpers … Lacks versatility and is more of a niche player … Can struggle playing drop coverage, giving up lobs to longer, more athletic players …

Outlook: Tshiebwe is a classic example of an elite college player whose game doesn’t appear to translate to today’s NBA … If this was the 80s or early 90s, he’s a potential lottery pick … But in today’s game, he is more of a Glen “Big Baby” Davis type (although a much better rebounder than Davis) in that he is big and strong, but plays beneath the rim and lacks the athleticism to appeal to most teams … His motor, outstanding defense, and elite rebounding will give him a chance to latch on with a team, but he appears destined to be a role player at the next level. If he had more of a jumpshot (something he’s begun to develop over the last year or so) he could enhance his attractiveness as an NBA big, but that’s probably a pretty big ask for him at this stage of his development. He looks like a NBA team’s third center right now if he were to declare for the draft. NIL money could see him stay in college and make more than he possibly could in the NBA without the uncertainty of making a roster out of camp …

Eric Yearian 3/24/22

Strengths: 6’8.5 athletic big man … Great length with a 7’4.25 wingspan and 9’1 standing reach … Good athlete. Gets off the ground quickly and finishes plays above the rim. Good energy and consistent motor. Runs the floor well and stays active on both ends. Finishes well in transition and in the half-court as he doesn’t need a gather before taking off … Stays alert and has good hands. Good potential in the pick & roll … Good strength and aggression, likes to bang underneath, and embraces contact … Finished eighth in scoring over the adidas Gauntlet in 2018 with 21.3 points per game while shooting 60.8% FG%. Averaged 9.9 points per game while shooting 63.5% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018. Averaged 9.8 points per game while shooting a fourth best 60% FG% at adidas Nations in 2017 … Good tools and rotates well defensively. Can hedge on the perimeter fairly well. Good instincts and timing as a help defender and shot blocker. Finished second on the adidas Gauntlet with 2.4 blocks per game in 2018. Averaged 1.2 steals per game over the adidas Gauntlet in 2018 … Great rebounder on both ends and secures nearly everything within reach. Led the adidas Gauntlet with 11.7 rebounds per game in 2018, with 6.1 coming on offense and led the league with a total of 61 offensive rebounds, blowing away second place who recorded 34, showing great timing. Led the NBPA Top 100 in rebounds with 10.4 per game in 2018. Averaged 6.8 rebounds per game at adidas Nations in 2017 with a fourth best 3.6 coming on offense … Passes well out of the post, gets rid of the ball and finds the open man quickly. Knows where the pass is going before he catches it. Doesn’t duck and force his way to the basket or throw up off-balanced/contested shots … Limits his turnovers well, unlike most big men or prospects in general of his caliber and age. Only averaged 0.4 turnovers per game (nine games) at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018 and 0.6 per game (five games) at adidas Nations in 2017 …

Weaknesses: Limited scoring range with the majority of his points coming in the paint. Shows a good spin, flashes some moves and finesse touch in the paint occasionally but doesn’t have much of an offensive game in the low post. Can improve finishing at different angles … Isn’t heavily involved with the offense at this stage and gets most of his points off hustle plays; running the floor, converting put backs, simple catch and finishes, etc. Doesn’t score a lot if it isn’t a dunk. Spends a lot of offensive plays just sitting in the post … Solid shooting mechanics but lacks some fluidity in his upper body. Has been up and down as a free throw shooter. Shot 63.5% FT% over the adidas Gauntlet in 2018 … Older for his class, will turn 20 in November of his freshman year of college …

Outlook: Incoming West Virginia freshman … Scored 12 points (5-7 FG) and grabbed ten rebounds (four offensive) in the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game … Played in the 2019 Nike Hoop Summit … 2019 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year …

Evan Tomes 8/17/19