LMU Lions Senior Sendoff: Alex Osborne
By Josh Horton
Dec 6, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Loyola Marymount Lions forward Alex Osborne (15) shoots the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 85-68. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
While he may not have been the most talented player on the floor ever, Alex Osborne showed heart, character and toughness in his stint at LMU, playing a role in many Lions victories.
Osborne was a part of the Lions 2009 recruiting class, one of which Osborne was the only player to finish his career at LMU. Although Given Kalipinde, Edgar Garibay and Quincy Lawson all transferred out of the program, Osborne stuck it out through thick and thin.
When Osborne first stepped foot at LMU, Osborne did not make a huge impact. He appeared in 26 games, averaging 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds.
His sophomore season ended abruptly, where Osborne was injured against La Sierra in the early stages of the season and was forced to redshirt to salvage a season of eligibility.
Osborne returned to action in the 2011-2012 season, where he averaged 2.6 points and 3.0 rebounds.
Entering into his junior season, Osborne was primed to produce more. The 6-foot-8 forward started 24 of the Lions 34 games, and Osborne more than doubled his scoring average from 2.6 points per game to 5.2 points per game. His rebounding improved from 3.0 rebounds per game to 4.7 rebounds per game. Uncharacteristically for a big man, Osborne finished 11th in the WCC that season in steals, with 1.3 per game.
Osborne’s role was escalated even further, recording career highs in points (6.3 PPG), rebounds (3.4 RPG) and assists (0.5 SPG). Osborne appeared in 22 out of the Lion’s 32 games, playing 21.2 minutes per game. Osborne’s premier game of the season was a loss at home to Gonzaga, where Osborne scored 9 points and grabbed down 11 rebounds against the WCC champions.
While Osborne did not post illustrious statistics or make any crazy highlight plays, Osborne always made those quintessential, under-the-radar basketball plays that help a team win. LMU, a team that was stricken with injuries frequently during Osborne’s career, needed a consistent force like Osborne’s career.
This is a player that will be missed by the Lions, as an integral part of the Lions depth and to the overall process.