Moro Osumanu working on new legacy at West Chester

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

Where Moro Osumanu’s final game ranks among Reading High’s greatest performances could be debated forever. Is it the best? The most consequential? It’s somewhere in the conversation.

The 6-6 center danced with perfection at Giant Center 11 months ago. He made 9-of-10 shots, all three free throws, scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. On the biggest stage, with the highest stakes, he never flinched.

It wasn’t until the next day that Osumanu realized what he’d done. Someone had to show him the box score and those numbers needed to float around his mind. Once the initial celebration died down, he could pause and reflect.

“I didn’t even know that I only missed one shot,” Osumanu said. “That was crazy to me. I was so focused on the game. It was one of the best moments of my life.”

Reading held off Archbishop Wood 58-57 for the school’s second PIAA basketball championship. Anything less than Osumanu’s near-perfect showing and the Red Knights don’t have that additional banner to hang at the Geigle.

Time marches on and careers move forward. Osumanu has spent this winter getting comfortable at West Chester University. Purple and Gold has replaced Red and Black. Osumanu has to prove himself all over again.

“It’s a new environment,” he said. “A new everything. At first it was a lot to get used to, but I found my pace.  Everybody has size, even the guards. I use my length and everything, so it’s easy to keep up.”

The transformation from All-State big shot and Reading legend to unproven freshman has brought challenges. Osumanu is averaging 2.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes. He didn’t get off the bench until the final four minutes of a loss to Millersville Wednesday.

Osumanu is no stranger to earning his stripes. He wasn’t an impact player at Reading until his junior year. That worked out pretty well.

“I’ve got to start all over,” he said. “I don’t let it get to me. I just know I’ve got to keep working. I’m going to get my time. I have teammates that can go. They’re more experienced right now. I’ve just got to learn and do what I can to help.”

Osumanu knows he must add muscle to his wiry 180-pound frame if he’s going to play in the paint in the PSAC. This is a physical conference filled with strong men. 

West Chester coach Damien Blair said Osumanu needs to work on his post game and extend his jump shot. Some of the Reading grad’s skills have already translated to Division II.

“He’s just relentless on the boards,” Blair said. “It’s like a magnet. The ball just comes to him. He moves really well.

“As big as he is, he can defend smaller guards. He’s got a nice little 15-foot jump shot. If you leave him, he can hurt you.”

West Chester is 16-11 overall, 10-11 in the conference and in fourth place in the PSAC East. The Golden Rams have nine freshmen on their roster. They’re building toward the future.

Osumanu has tried to turn the page from his Reading days and focus on the games ahead. That championship night still resonates. It follows him around. It will always be something people bring up to him.

Twice Osumanu returned to Reading to watch the Red Knights power through this season. He saw them win against Vertical Academy at Santander Arena in January and outlast Imhotep Charter in the opener in December.

Whenever he starts talking about his hometown, he instinctively goes through a list of mentors who guided him through those high school years.

“I could thank the whole city,” Osumanu said. “There were so many people who helped me. I’ve always got to go back and show love. That’s the family.”

Osumanu’s goal is to leave the same championship imprint at West Chester. It won’t be easy. Becoming a legend takes time. The freshman believes his role will expand if he keeps plugging along.

Although he may never eclipse that magical night against Archbishop Wood, he’s going to keep trying. 

“I want to be a guy who left a really huge impact at West Chester,” Osumanu said. “On the court and off the court. Just like I did at Reading High. That would be great.”

Osumanu doesn’t need to be perfect. He just wants to win. That alone will create a new set of memories.