MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Our Friday conversation is with West Virginia University freshman forward Oscar Tshiebwe (pronounced SHEEB-way), the first McDonald's All-American prep player to enroll at WVU since Chris Brooks in 1986 and just the third ever.
 
Oscar scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 18 minutes of action in last year's McDonald's All-American game played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
 
He attended Kennedy Catholic High in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, where he led the Golden Eagles to a 27-3 record and a 6A state title during his senior season.
 
The Democratic Republic of the Congo native averaged 23 points per game and was a unanimous first-team all-state selection. He scored 1,480 career points at Kennedy Catholic and reached double figures in scoring in every game during his senior season.
 
Amazingly, Tshiebwe first began playing basketball only five years ago when he grew too big to continue playing soccer (he was a goal keeper).
 
The personable freshman was recently named Big 12 preseason rookie of the year.
 
Check out this revealing interview with a player Mountaineer hoop fans hope can help turn around last year's disappointing 15-21 record.
 
Tickets for the 2019-20 season remain on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office toll-free at 1-800-WVU GAME or by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
 
The Mountaineers open the season on Friday, Nov. 8, against Akron at the WVU Coliseum.