MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With two players declaring for the NBA draft and another two announcing they were entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, the WVU men’s basketball team finally got a bit of good news Tuesday night.
On the Final Fourcast Podcast with former WVU player John Flowers, forward Gabe Osabuohien announced he was using his extra year of eligibility to return to the Mountaineers in 2021-22.
“First off, I did lose on my Senior Night and I can’t go out like that,” Osabuohien said. “With the way we went out in the tournament … we have a whole year to come back, get better, add more pieces that we need to work with the pieces we have now to do something special. We have unfinished business so I’m coming back for sure.”
Guard Taz Sherman, in the same boat as Osabuohien with an extra year available as a senior, is testing the NBA waters but left the door open to return. Junior guard Sean McNeil is doing the same.
Juniors Jordan McCabe and Emmitt Matthews Jr. are transferring out. The futures of Deuce McBride and Derek Culver remain unknown, so Osabuohien’s decision helps stabilize the roster in the interim.
Known for his hustle plays and defensive smarts, Osabuohien averaged 1.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season, and also tallied 41 steals.
After Oscar Tshiwbwe’s transfer to Kentucky and Isaiah Cottrell’s Achilles injury, Osabuohien provided important depth behind Culver in the post.
TWEET @SeanManning_1
