Tshiebwe Tagged as Top-10 College Player in 2020-21

West Virginia’s talented freshman Oscar Tshiebwe is getting some love from the national media this offseason, being ranked as the No. 10 college player in 2020-21 by ESPN’s John Gasaway.

Gasaway factored in 35 players that are likely to turn pro and ranked the top 25 college players next season. Using this method, he had WVU’s big man at No. 10 for next season.

Gasaway touts Tshiebwe’s nation-leading offensive rebounding percentage, despite playing next to Derek Culver, and better-than-expected free-throw shooting as big positives from the freshman. He also predicts Tshiebwe to be a “breakout sophomore” next season.

Tshiebwe meant a lot more to the Mountaineers than just offensive rebounding free-throw shooting, however. Tshiebwe led WVU in scoring (11.2 points per game), rebounding (9.3) and blocks (32) this season.

The 6-foot-9 freshman posted 10 double-doubles on the season, including a 19/18 game against Pitt, a 17/17 game at Kansas and a 16/12 game in the team’s upset of No. 4 Baylor.

Following the season Tshiebwe was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, All-Newcomer Team and All-Freshman Team as well as the NABC All-District First Team.

The only Big 12 player on Gasaway’s list ranked higher than Tshibewe is Kansas’s Marcus Garrett at No. 4. Garrett averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season and won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

It was reported that both Tshiebwe and Culver will be returning to WVU next season. This gives WVU a formidable frontcourt with Tshiebwe, Culver, defensive stopper Gabe Osabuohien and incoming four-star recruit Isiah Cottrell.