Oscar Tshiebwe Bio
Oscar Tshiebwe is a Congolese professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), currently on a two-way contract with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. Born on November 27, 1999, in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tshiebwe has become one of the most dominant rebounders of his generation. He played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Kentucky Wildcats, earning consensus national player of the year honors in 2022. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and listed at 255 pounds, Tshiebwe plays as a center and power forward, using his size and motor to control the glass on both ends of the floor.
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Tshiebwe began his professional career with the Indiana Pacers organization. He quickly established himself as a force in the NBA G League, capturing Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 before joining the Utah Jazz in 2024. Known for his relentless work ethic, faith, and commitment to his family in Congo, Tshiebwe continues to build his professional resume as one of the most productive rebounders in the G League.
Early Life and Background
Oscar Tshiebwe grew up in Lubumbashi, a major city in the mineral-rich Copperbelt region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a child, he played soccer like many of his peers but was encouraged to switch to basketball because of his above-average height. Tshiebwe built his conditioning by running on hills and on a mountain near his hometown, a routine that helped shape the physical foundation of his game. He did not start playing organized basketball until May 2014, a late start that he has since turned into a source of motivation.
While developing in Congo, Tshiebwe attended a basketball camp led by Congolese NBA veteran Bismack Biyombo, who became a mentor and helped advance his career. Biyombo’s guidance gave Tshiebwe a pathway toward higher-level competition and, eventually, a move to the United States. In November 2015, before his freshman year of high school, Tshiebwe moved to America to pursue his basketball dreams.
Path to Basketball
Tshiebwe first enrolled at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Virginia, where he adjusted to life in the United States and continued to grow as a player. Entering his junior year, he transferred to Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, a program with a strong track record of developing big men. As a junior, he averaged 21.1 points per game and led his team to a PIAA Class 1A title, earning Class 1A All-State first team honors in the process.
During his senior season, Tshiebwe elevated his play, averaging 23.4 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks per game. He led Kennedy Catholic to a 24–3 record and a PIAA Class 6A championship, and was recognized as a Class 6A All-State first team selection and the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. He also starred for ITPS Wildcats Select on the Adidas Gauntlet, posting 21.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, and was selected to the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit. Rated as a five-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports, he committed to play college basketball at West Virginia on October 20, 2018.
Oscar Tshiebwe Career
Early Career at West Virginia (2019–2021)
Tshiebwe made an immediate impact at West Virginia. In just his second college game, he produced a 20-point, 17-rebound double-double at Pittsburgh, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors. He followed that with a stellar performance in the Cancun Challenge championship game, recording 19 points and 18 rebounds against Wichita State to lead the Mountaineers to the title and capture tournament MVP honors. By the end of his freshman year, he averaged 11.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the field.
As a sophomore, Tshiebwe averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds across 10 games before leaving West Virginia for personal reasons. His time in Morgantown still left a strong impression, as he was named to the Second Team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team at the conclusion of the regular season.
Kentucky Breakthrough (2021–2023)
On January 10, 2021, Tshiebwe transferred to Kentucky after also considering Miami, NC State, and Illinois. He wasted little time making his mark, posting 17 points and 20 rebounds in his Wildcats debut against Duke. One of his most memorable performances came on December 22, 2021, when he scored 14 points and grabbed a Rupp Arena-record 28 rebounds in a 95–60 win over Western Kentucky.
His dominant rebounding and interior play earned him the Sporting News National Player of the Year award, as well as unanimous Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors. He added the Pete Newell Big Man Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, cementing his status as the nation’s top big man.
Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars Era (2024–Present)
After spending the 2023–24 season with the Indiana Pacers and their G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, Tshiebwe signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz on August 12, 2024. He continued to play for the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League while receiving opportunities with the Jazz. On March 28, 2025, he made his first career NBA start, recording seven points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one steal against the Denver Nuggets. He made 14 appearances, including one start, for Utah during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 7.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.
On August 19, 2025, Tshiebwe re-signed with the Jazz on another two-way contract, signaling the organization’s belief in his continued development. He produced one of his best NBA performances on April 10, 2026, when he tallied 16 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in a 147–101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Two days later, he set a career high with 29 points to go along with 17 rebounds in a 131–107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, further demonstrating his expanding offensive game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tshiebwe is widely regarded as one of the most relentless rebounders in basketball. His combination of size, length, timing, and motor allows him to dominate the glass against bigger and more experienced opponents. He excels at tracking the ball off the rim, fighting through contact, and converting second-chance opportunities on the offensive end. Defensively, his positioning and shot-altering ability make him a presence at the rim, and his work ethic has continued to expand his offensive skill set as he develops his perimeter game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Tshiebwe set a new NBA G League single-season rebounding record with 16.2 rebounds per game during the 2023–24 campaign. He also broke the Indiana Mad Ants records for most rebounds in a single season and in a single game, recording 28 boards in one contest. He was twice named to the All-NBA G League First Team and participated in both the NBA G League Next Up Game and the NBA Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend in 2024.
Oscar Tshiebwe Career Wins
Across the NBA G League, Tshiebwe has emerged as a winner at every level he has competed. His teams have captured NBA G League showcase and all-star event championships, and he has earned league-wide recognition for his individual performance. With the Indiana Mad Ants, he was a key contributor to a deep playoff run and a winning culture in Fort Wayne, while in Utah, his efforts helped the Salt Lake City Stars compete at a high level in the Western Conference.
NBA G League Highlights
Tshiebwe was named the NBA G League Rookie of the Year in 2024 after leading the league in rebounding. He was also selected to the All-NBA G League First Team in both 2024 and 2025, and to the All-NBA G League Rookie Team in 2024. He led the league in rebounding in both 2024 and 2025, reinforcing his reputation as the top glass-cleaner in the G League.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the G League, Tshiebwe earned major individual awards at the college level, including consensus National Player of the Year in 2022 and SEC Player of the Year honors. He was also a McDonald’s All-American and a participant in the Nike Hoop Summit, both elite honors in high school basketball. On the international stage, he represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo in youth competitions before moving to the United States.
Oscar Tshiebwe Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Oscar Tshiebwe was raised in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a close-knit family that supported his athletic development. After moving to the United States to attend Kennedy Catholic High School, he was taken in by Jeff Kollar and his wife, who became his legal guardians. The Kollars had previously served as guardians for brothers Mohamed and Sagaba Konate, both of whom played basketball at Kennedy Catholic, with Sagaba Konate going on to play college basketball at West Virginia alongside Tshiebwe.
Personal Life
Tshiebwe is a Christian and has spoken often about the role of faith in his life and career. He is also a Kentucky Colonel, an honorary title bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. During his time at Kentucky, he used his first major earnings to buy his mother a five-bedroom house in Congo and established a charitable foundation to benefit children in his homeland. His commitment to family and community continues to be a defining part of his identity beyond basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a significant step forward in Oscar Tshiebwe’s professional career. He continued to anchor the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League, where his rebounding and interior defense remained central to the team’s identity. He was again recognized as one of the league’s top big men, earning All-NBA G League First Team honors and a second consecutive rebounding title.
With the Utah Jazz, Tshiebwe made his first career NBA start during the 2024–25 season and produced 14 appearances, including one start, averaging 7.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. His late-season start against Denver showcased his readiness for an expanded role, and his continued development gave the Jazz confidence in his two-way contract extension in August 2025.
Looking ahead, Tshiebwe enters the 2025–26 NBA season with momentum after re-signing with Utah in August 2025. He will look to build on his career-best NBA performances, including a 29-point, 17-rebound outing against the Lakers and a 22-rebound game against the Grizzlies, as he works to earn a more permanent role on the Jazz roster.
