OU Receives Mississippi State Transfer

Originally Published: May 17, 2010 2:46 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STARKVILLE, Mississippi -- Former Mississippi State forward Romero Osby is transferring to Oklahoma next season, Oklahoma Athletics said in a press release Monday.

"I think this will be the rebirth of Romero Osby. He was not really able to show a lot of the things he can do in his two years at Mississippi State,” said OU head coach Jeff Capel in a press release “We recruited him out of high school and I loved him. I'm excited about the opportunity to coach him.”

Standing at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Osby started three games for the Bulldogs and averaged 13.1 minutes of playing time per game. He averaged 4.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, and now takes the Sooners’ final available scholarship.

“He's a kid with a lot of talent and, as important, a kid with tremendous character,” said Capel. “Through two years of college, he already has the number of credit hours that a kid who finished his junior year would probably have.”

The OU basketball team has been gutted since the end of a disappointing season, with several players leaving for the NBA Draft or for personal reasons. But head Capel has quickly filled the void left by his departing players.

Osby will be the ninth different member of the Sooners, and joins local product Tyler Neal, prep school signee Abdi Ahmed, and junior college transfers C.J. Washington and Nick Thompson as newcomers in the frontcourt.

Osby was a sophomore last season, but has not used his redshirt. He will burn that redshirt during his mandatory year of sitting out, giving him two full years of eligibility with the Sooners.