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Back in August of 2016, Isiah Osbourne produced a jaw dropping 35 points, seven rebounds, and five steals against the Big South’s Charleston Southern. UTEP center and fellow Canadian Matt Willms was in attendance, and afterwards told Osbourne that he could produce at the D-1 level in the United States.
At the time, Osbourne had just finished his freshman year at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Canada. He had averaged 15 points per game, and was the focal point and the budding face of the program after helping them to 20-plus wins as a true freshman.
But Willms’ keen observation led to a call back to El Paso, and the next thing you know, Osbourne was on his way to El Paso to become a UTEP Miner.
A few months before Willms saw Osbourne go off against a D-1 opponent in an exhibition, Osbourne was a member of the Toronto 3D Global Sports team that toured China, getting exposure against pros, and NCAA competition.
So coming into what would be his sophomore year after an eligibility battle that forced him to sit out a year after transferring from Windsor, his shooting abilities will be on full display when the Miners travel to Costa Rica in August.
“Isiah has been able to practice with us this year and we’ve loved what we’ve seen,” Floyd said. “He’s 6-5 and can play multiple positions. He also possesses great athleticism. The year he played at the University of Windsor and the year practicing with us will give him a head start next year.”