Nick Osborne is having a great summer playing AAU basketball with the Eric Gordon Central Stars 16u team. During the school year, the 6’8 athletic power forward plays for Muncie Central, but right now he’s focused on AAU basketball.
Speaking of AAU season thus far, “It’s really good, I’m having a lot of fun,” Osborne said.
Nick plays on a very talented team featuring versatile 6’7 wing Jeremy Hollowell, and lightning quick 5’9 point guard Ronnie Johnson. Nick holds down the paint for his team, defending the post and scoring buckets down low.
“My strengths are my rebounding, physicality, my defense, finishing, and I’m a team player,” said Osborne.
In watching Nick several times, I can attest that all those things are true. He’s a player who will really hustle and get after it to help lead his team to victory. He fights for a lot of tough buckets down low, and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work necessary for a win. Osborne isn’t quick to forget he still wants to expand his game however.
“I need to work on my perimeter game,” he said.
Osborne has shown the ability to knock down the mid range jumper, and expanding his game out to the 3 point line would add a versatile scoring punch to his arsenal.
Nick’s talents on the court have begun to impress college coaches, leading to him being recruited by a number of schools.
“I’m being recruited by Butler, Ohio, and Miami (Ohio),” said Osborne. “Ball State has offered me,” he added.
Nick said he has taken unofficial visits to Ball State, Butler, Ohio, Iowa and Purdue.
Although Ball State is his hometown school, Osborne has no leader or favorite right now.
“I like all the coaches I’ve met with so far,” Osborne said of the schools recruiting him.
Nick is unsure of when he will make his college decision.
“I’m not sure yet, I’m just going to take my time and think it over with my family and take my time,” he said regarding a potential decision timeline.
The earliest Nick could sign a National Letter of Intent is November of 2011, so he has plenty of time to think about his college decision and be recruited by new schools. When he does make his decision, Nick said a couple things will come into play.
“The coaches, campus, the school’s academics, and my family”, Osborne said of the factors in his future decision.
As Nick continues his play throughout the summer, expect for more offers to come his way. He’s had a good summer, and is showing coaches he’s fully recovered from a back injury he suffered during the high school season.
The Eric Gordon Central Stars 16u team is set to play in Las Vegas starting Thursday. They’ll be participating in the Adidas Super 64 Invitational.