Author: Monojit Mandal
Oscar Tshiebwe, the former Kentucky basketball player who was passed over in the 2023 NBA draft, has signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Despite being overlooked by NBA clubs, Tshiebwe’s excellent performance as the National Player of the Year, leading the country in rebounds with an average of 15.3 per game in the 2021-22 season, earned him notoriety.
Tshiebwe was a promising but peripheral pick in the second round of the lottery during his time with the Wildcats, averaging 16.5 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. Tshiebwe, however, failed to return to college basketball after entering the NBA draft, as noted by Ben Roberts of Yahoo News. As a result of this choice, he became the first Naismith Prize winner in history not to be selected.
Despite their great exploits in college basketball, big men like Tshiebwe and Gonzaga’s Drew Timme have fallen out of favor in the NBA draft. Teams have been concerned about Tshiebwe’s height, at 1.80m, which could put him at a disadvantage compared to the taller players in the league.
However, Tshiebwe still has the chance to fulfill his ambition of playing in the NBA. In addition to their usual roster of 15 players, the Indiana Pacers have the option of signing two players to two-way contracts. These players will be able to play for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers’ G-League affiliate, and will also be able to take part in up to 50 Pacers games.
The Pacers kept two-way contracts with former Baylor player Kendall Brown and G-League veteran Gabe York last season. Brown played six games in December, while York played three at the end of the season.
Tshiebwe’s ability to produce during the summer and preseason will determine whether he makes the Pacers roster. Tshiebwe could get a regular place in the team if he impresses the coaching staff by assisting the experienced forward Myles Turner. After an excellent season in the Summer League, Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers moved from a two-way contract to a conventional contract in 2021.