Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
MUNCIE, Ind. — Osh Brown is an anomaly.
It’s as simple as that, and there’s more than one reason that statement is true.
Exhibit A: according to NCAA.org, in 2018, there were 430,368 high school athletes to play girls basketball. Out of that number, 16,532 — or 3.8 percent — advanced to play at the Division I level.
Osh Brown not only plays at Division I Ball State University, she leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Exhibit B: most successful basketball players start crafting their talents and playing organized basketball at a young age.
CREDIT: BSU Creative Services
Osh Brown didn’t start until her eighth grade year … and no, that’s not a joke.
As a freshman, Brown started just two games in a season where she won Mid-American Conference Sixth Player of the Year honors with averages of 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds.
This year, she’s started in all 24 of Ball State’s contests. If you know her, you’re not surprised. The work she puts into improving each and every day continues to pay its dividends.
“The biggest improvement for me has been using my left hand and using more than one post move. Now I have many options on how I can move in the post with the ball,” Brown said.
And, per her personality, she’s already targeted what she can work on next.
“What I can still get better at is my perimeter game,” she said. “The sky’s the limit once I get that down. I will be able to take post players that are guarding me out on the post and take them on the perimeter to attack them on the drive.”
Brown, a Chillicothe High School graduate, ended her prep career with over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds while leading the Cavaliers to three consecutive district final appearances.
When Osh took the court, you paid attention.
Now, younger girls around the area — and even current high school athletes — want to follow in her footsteps.
“Knowing that I am a role model for my hometown is amazing and one of the reasons why I want to get better and go to the next level,” Brown said. “I want the little girls that are looking to be like me, to be better than me. I love all the love and the support I get from my hometown.”
Brown says she keeps in contact with her high school teammates and coaches, specifically former Chillicothe coach Pat Beard and current Cavalier Shawnice Smith.
But when she’s not talking with friends or playing basketball, she’s focused on her studies while majoring in Child Development. That takes discipline off the court and, sometimes, putting a plan in place.
“I have approached balancing schoolwork and basketball by giving up some of my sleeping and planning out when I am going to get my work done,” Brown said. “I want to work with children [after graduation]. I want to leave a legacy at Ball State where Muncie knows who I am and what I’ve accomplished here.”
The sophomore is definitely on the right track.
While the Cardinals have struggled this season at 7-17 overall, Brown has stood out above the rest.
CREDIT: BSU Creative Services
She set a career scoring high with 25 points against Western Kentucky on Dec. 16, and did the same on the glass with 15 rebounds against Kent State on Jan. 23.
She’s also posted 10 double-doubles this winter — the latest coming on Feb. 6 with an 18-point, 12-rebound performance against Central Michigan.
But there’s still more she can add to her game. There’s always more … and Osh Brown is always working to reach it.
So while Brown gets back to work, keep your eyes peeled. There’s a show to see.
“We are a young team so we have players that are still adapting to college ball. I’m still young myself,” Brown said. “I just want to get better and work on adding to my game. That’s all I am going to say. The rest of it, you’re going to have to watch and see.”