Bambale Osby wanted to log more minutes in a win over Michigan State last Friday, but the Maryland basketball team?s reserve was still happy to perform his role off the bench. When coach Gary Williams calls his name, Osby is expected to give the front court a spark of energy. In Monday night?s 71-60 win over Winthrop, Osby answered the call with flair.
With James Gist in foul trouble and Winthrop taking a lead early in the first half, Osby, a junior transfer from Paris (Texas) Junior College, came in and helped start a 14-3 run that put the Terps in front for good. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward ? a Richmond, Va., native nicknamed “Boom” ? was the second-leading scorer behind Ekene Ibekwe (18) with a season-high 14 points. Osby also pulled down seven rebounds, three on offense.
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“You lose a starter like that, and you don?t usually have that luxury,” Williams said of going from Gist to Osby. “When ?Boom? got in there, he was able to get position, score, rebound, play good defense and that?s what wins games.”
Good bench depth is not something the Terps have always had in recent years. But Osby coming off the bench is a big bonus because of the skill and intensity he brings.
“He was a force from the minute that he stepped out there,” senior guard D.J. Strawberry said. “He was able to get off to a good start early on and got some buckets. He was a big help to us winning the game.”
Even at a young age, Osby knew what his strengths were.
“I never was a greatshooter,” he said. “When I was growing up, I was just stronger than everyone else. It wouldn?t do me any good to try to hit outside shots. I just tried to play to my strengths.”
Osby has quickly become a fan favorite at Comcast Center. Shouts of “Boom!” go up whenever he enters or leaves the game and when he scores. Osby can?t pinpoint why the fan response has been so positive.
“I play with energy and effort, but I could not tell you,” Osby said.
Asked whether or not fans might take to his Ben Wallace-like Afro, Osby laughed.
“Maybe,” he said.
THE OSBY FILE
» In his first six games, Bambale Osby is averaging 12 minutes a game and with 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.
» He averaged six points and five rebounds per game in his sophomore year at Paris Junior College. He spent his freshman year at New Mexico, where he averaged 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 points per game.
» His nickname, “Boom,” originated when a high-school teammate thought his name was “Boombale.” The moniker has stuck ever since.
