Another center escapes Maccabi Tel Aviv: Oscar Tshiebwe signs with Houston
The Congolese center, who was on the radar of the 'yellows', chose to remain in the United States and signed with the Rockets. In 49 NBA games, he averaged 7 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Another candidate for the center position is off the table for Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Houston Rockets officially announced this Friday the signing of Oscar Tshiebwe, the Congolese center who was scouted by the 'yellows' ahead of the upcoming season.
Maccabi has been working in recent months to find a player to strengthen the frontcourt, and Tshiebwe was one of the names evaluated by the professional staff. However, the 26-year-old center, who stands 2.03 meters tall, preferred to continue trying to establish his status in the NBA and signed with Houston.
Tshiebwe was not selected in the 2023 draft, but received a two-way contract with Indiana in his rookie season, and subsequently played for two seasons under a two-way contract with Utah. In 49 NBA games, seven of which he started, he averaged 7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 15.2 minutes.
The center stood out particularly in the G League, where he became one of the most dominant interior players. Throughout his career in the G League, he averaged 16.9 rebounds and 6.8 offensive rebounds in 97 games. According to Houston, he is the only player in NBA history, among those who have played at least 15 games, to have averaged at least 15 rebounds and 6 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.
For Maccabi Tel Aviv, Tshiebwe's decision to remain in the United States requires the club to continue its search for another center. As of now, Roman Sorkin, Jaylen Hoard, and T.J. Leaf are the senior frontcourt players already on the roster for the next season.
