Oscar Tshiebwe is the first SEC player ever to be honored as the National Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The NABC made the announcement Tuesday.

“First of all, I want to thank God for everything that he has done for me and my family,” Tshiebwe said, via Kentucky. “I want to also thank my coaches, the UK staff and most importantly my teammates for helping me to get to where I am today. I also want to thank the Big Blue Nation for your support. I’m very grateful for everything. God bless.”

Tshiebwe is also the NABC’s Pete Newell Big Man of the Year. The junior forward averaged a double-double of 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds per game as Kentucky’s top scorer and the nation’s leading rebounder, helping the Wildcats go 26-8 this season.

“The things that he’s done haven’t been done for 50 years,” John Calipari said, via UK. “Let me say this again, the things that he’s done haven’t been done for 50 years. He plays his heart out and finds ways to impact every game. I’m proud of him, and it’s not only on the court. He’s so thankful and faith-based and he’s a joy to coach.”

Tshiebwe’s 2021-22 honors are piling up. Here’s the latest list, from UKathletis.com:

  • NABC National Player of the Year
  • NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year
  • NCAA Consensus All-America First Team
  • USBWA First-Team All-America
  • NABC First-Team All-America
  • Associated Press First-Team All-America
  • Sporting News First-Team All-America
  • NABC All-District 20 First Team
  • Southeastern Conference Player of the Year (coaches/media)
  • All-SEC First Team (coaches/media)
  • All-SEC Defensive Team (coaches)
  • USBWA District IV Player of the Year
  • USBWA All-District IV team
  • USA Today National Player of the Year
  • USA Today First-Team All-American
  • The Athletic’s National Player of the Year
  • Sports Illustrated First-Team All-American
  • The Field of 68 National Player of the Year
  • The Field of 68 First-Team All-America
  • College Hoops Today National Player of the Year
  • USA Today SEC Player of the Year
  • USA Today First-Team All-SEC unanimous selection