Oscar Tshiebwe named SEC Player of the Year

Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) sits on the bench after being taken out following a foul during the UK vs. Vanderbilt basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. UK won 77-70. Photo by Jack Weaver | Staff

Hunter Shelton
March 8, 2022

The postseason awards are rolling in, with three Wildcats being recognized by the Southeastern Conference’s league honors, headlined by Oscar Tshiebwe.

Tshiebwe was named the SEC Player of the Year, the 10th player in Kentucky history to earn the award. He was also named to the All-SEC First Team and the All-Defensive Team.

Backcourt duo TyTy Washington Jr and Sahvir Wheeler were each named to the All-SEC Second Team, with Washington also being tabbed with an All-Freshman selection.

Head coach John Calipari has now coached 32 players who have earned an All-SEC First or Second Team distinction. In each of his 13 seasons at the helm of UK, Calipari has had at least one of his players named to the All-Freshman team.

The Second Team selection for Wheeler is his second in a row, as he earned the same nod last season while at Georgia.

A full list of the awards is below:

First Team

JD Notae, Arkansas

Jaylin Williams, Arkansas

Walker Kessler, Auburn

Jabari Smith, Auburn

Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky

Tari Eason, LSU

Iverson Molinar, Mississippi State

Santiago Vescovi, Tennessee

Scotty Pippen Jr., Vanderbilt