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sports Thursday 13 January 2022
Kentucky’s Tshiebwe wants ‘my name

to be remembered forever’

By MARK LONG to appreciate what some- bringing to Kentucky bas-
AP Sports Writer body really does," team- ketball. I want my name to
Kentucky's offense now mate and Keion Brooks be remembered as Oscar
runs through big man Os- said. "And Oscar has been who was different, not just
car Tshiebwe. tremendous for us all year a basketball player."
Already leading the nation and playing exceptionally SIZE: 6-foot-9, 255 pounds.
in rebounding, Tshiebwe well." A 22-year-old junior STATS: 17 points, 15.1 re-
(SHEE-bway) set career from the Congo, Tshiebwe bounds, 62.7% shooting,
highs in scoring in consecu- began his college career at 72.5% free throws.
tive games for the 18th- West Virginia. He left in the STRENGTHS: Tshiebwe is Associated Press
ranked Wildcats (13-3, 3-1 middle of his sophomore running the floor like never that floor. It puts him ahead to develop his post skills
Southeastern Conference). season for personal reasons before and getting easy of the action. He's going to and extend his range.
He had 30 points and 13 and ended up transferring baskets in transition. While get some easy ones. He's "Remember early in the
rebounds in a lopsided vic- to Kentucky. Coach John his hands seemed suspect in a great position to re- year, he couldn't make
tory at Vanderbilt on Tues- Calipari believes Tshiebwe early in the season, he's bound." 2-footers?" Calipari said.
day night, three days after can give the Wildcats a shown great touch around WEAKNESSES: For an ath- "Now, he's hitting jumpers
finishing with 29 points and post presence they missed the rim in recent weeks – on letic big man with a big and making free throws."
17 boards against Georgia. last season. both ends of the floor. body, Tshiebwe isn't much DRAFT PROJECTION: Once
Back-to-back eye-openers Tshiebwe hopes to do way "We had a game a couple of a shot blocker. He hasn't considered a second-
should have Tshiebwe's more. "I want my name to of games ago where he had more than two in any round project, Tshiebwe is
NBA draft stock on the rise. be remembered forever," graded out, on his sprints, game since early Decem- climbing draft boards and
"I wouldn't say I was sur- he said. "Not just as a bas- the worst he had all sea- ber and only has 23 in 466 could end up being a mid-
prised, but sometimes ketball player, the way I son," Calipari said. "So now, minutes this season. first-rounder by the time the
we've got to take the time treat people, the stuff I'm I'm focused on him running He also needs to continue draft arrives in July.q
Orioles moving LF fence back at

Camden Yards

in left field back as much as much as 30 feet, in vary- ers allowed 155 homers at
as 30 feet in an effort to ing increments at different home, compared to just
make Oriole Park at Cam- points in the wall, and the 103 on the road.
den Yards a bit easier on height will raise approxi- “While Oriole Park will re-
pitchers.An Orioles spokes- mately 5 feet,” the email main a hitter’s ballpark, it
man confirmed the team’s said. “By pushing back the will no longer be an out-
plans Wednesday, sharing left field wall, we’ve cre- lier among the parks,” the
an email sent to fans whose ated a playing field that is email to fans said.
seats will be affected. fair for both pitchers and Last year’s dimensions at
“For the start of the 2022 hitters.” Camden Yards were 333
Associated Press season, the distance from Baltimore hit 122 home runs feet to left and 364 to left-
home plate to the left field at home last year and 73 center. The fence was 7
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Ori- oles are moving the wall wall will be pushed back on the road. Orioles pitch- feet high.q

American skater Chen eyes elusive

Olympic gold in Beijing

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports to accomplish? Winning forward to going back and
Writer Olympic gold. working on whatever goals
Nathan Chen has accom- The 22-year-old Chen blew I have for the Games. I’m
plished just about every- his chance four years ago just enjoying this moment.”
thing that one can accom- in Pyeongchang, when an The showdown between
plish in the sport of figure unusually poor short pro- Chen and Hanyu will be
skating.Six consecutive na- gram cost him a chance the highlight of the entire
tional championships, the at a medal; he rallied to Olympic program.
most since two-time Olym- finish fifth. But he’s about The American comes
pic champion Dick Button to get another shot next armed with an array of
in the 1940s and ‘50s. month in Beijing, when quadruple jumps that rival Associated Press
Three consecutive world Chen goes toe-to-toe with anyone in the world, while
championships, the best two-time defending gold his artistry takes him beyond he used at nationals, a “and that’s why it’s awe-
run by an American since medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and being just an athlete to be- short to “La Boheme” and some to be able to have
Scott Hamilton in the early a stacked field at historic ing a bona fide performer. an Elton John medley for such amazing choreogra-
‘80s. Capital Indoor Stadium. The biggest question sur- his free skate that he used phers consistently deliver
Nearly four years with only “Every season my goal is rounding Chen is what pro- during the 2019-20 season. great programs for me, so
a single defeat, a run that to keep improving,” Chen grams he’ll unveil in Beijing “I’m really happy with these it’s easy to be able to go
includes three consecutive said after shattering his per- — the programs he used programs,” Chen said, giv- back and look through all
wins at the Grand Prix Final. sonal-best score at nation- with mixed results earlier in ing credit to choreogra- the work she’s done with
The only thing he’s yet als last week. “I’m looking the season or the programs pher Shae-Lynn Bourne, me.”q