Bigger than basketball
Rich South’s Osborne makes ESPN’s Top 10 plays, but he remains prouder of work on FSU anti-racism task force
Near the top of the key, Florida State’s Malik Osborne received a pass just beyond the 3-point line.
The 6-foot-9, 225pound forward used a pump fake to get the Louisville defender off his feet and create a lane toward the basket as the shot clock began winding down. Five, four, three …
What came next was so awesome and powerful, it landed the Rich South graduate on the ESPN “SportsCenter” Top 10 plays for Monday.
“After the pump fake, I saw a lot of space to the basket, but there were only three seconds on the shot clock,” Osborne said. “I kept telling myself, ‘Get to the rim, get to the rim.’ I made sure I went up with authority.”
Authority? His new nickname should be The General.
Osborne, a junior, nearly ripped the rim off the backboard with a one-handed tomahawk jam that helped the No. 25 Seminoles to a 78-65 ACC road win.
Osborne soared over the block attempt of a Louisville defender for additional style points. He finished with 12 points.
The dunk, however, stole the show, landing at No. 3 on the “SportsCenter” top plays.
“When I dunked it, I looked over at the bench and everyone was screaming,” Osborne said. “Then I started screaming. It was almost an out-of-body experience.
“After the game, people started saying the dunk had to have made the ‘SportsCenter’ Top 10.”
They were right.
“The next morning, I’m watching ‘SportsCenter’ and I had to turn in homework for a class,” Osborne said. “So I’m trying to do that and watch TV. They get to No. 3 and I hear my name.
“I called my dad and said, ‘We’re No. 3, we’re No. 3.’ I’ve been watching ‘SportsCenter’ since I was a kid. You always dream of being on the Top 10 plays. It was a fun and exciting
moment.”
Not soon after, Osborne’s phone started to blow up. This is when social media can be worth all of the headaches.
“People were hitting me up on all sorts of platforms,” he said. “Twitter, Instagram. People were remembering me from Rich South. It was crazy how it played out.”
How Osborne arrived at Florida State is somewhat crazy. He spent his freshman season at Rice, averaging 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds while playing in 31 games.
He looked to be a big part of program’s future.
Osborne, however, decided to transfer.
“I was honored to be a part of the Rice family and thankful they took a chance on me,” he said. “But I believed I could play in a bigger platform and with guys who had the abilities to play in the NBA. I wanted to play against people who are going where I want to be.”
It was a risky decision, but Osborne didn’t want to look back at his life and wonder “what if?”
As it turns out, it was a wise decision.
He sat out one season due to NCAA transfer rules. Last season, he averaged 6.0 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Seminoles.
His contributions, though, extend beyond the numbers.
“Malik is strong, quick, fast and can run and jump,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. “He’s a really good athlete who can shoot the jump shot.
“He has an unselfish spirit, a competitive spirit and he’s an outstanding teammate. He has a willingness to do whatever you need him to do.”
No different from when he was starring at Rich South.
But Osborne’s greatest impact might be off the court.
He was asked before this school year to join FSU president John Thrasher’s task force on anti-racism, equality and inclusion.
The group, which consists of students, faculty and alumni, shares thoughts on how to make the campus more inclusive and comfortable. It’s a big honor. One that Osborne takes tremendous pride in.
“When I was sitting in the president’s office and asked to be a part of this, that was another out-ofbody experience,” Osborne said. “Being a voice for changes to the diverse student body at a top 25 university in the country is an honor.
“It’s a process, but there’s going to be action taken. It’s been an interesting experience. I’m trying to be the best studentathlete I can be.”
Thrasher said Osborne’s contributions will be impacted for years.
“It’s been a pleasure to get to know Malik over the past couple of years,” Thrasher said. “While those who follow college basketball know he’s an accomplished athlete, he’s also an amazing young man.
“I’m so proud of his commitment to tackle issues of racial inequity and injustice. His service on Florida State’s task force will help ensure a more diverse and inclusive campus for future generations.”
That’s what I call leaving your mark.