Rising up in Dublin, Eire, Motive Prep Academy senior Vincent Osazee didn’t suppose he would grow to be his program’s first Div. 1 males’s faculty basketball participant.
A Milton resident, the 6-foot-8 small ahead/energy ahead has dedicated to the College of the Pacific and hopes to achieve the NBA. Ranked No. 11 on ESPN’s 2026 Massachusetts boys basketball recruits, he can dunk, end properly on the rim, knock down three-pointers, seize rebounds and play robust protection, regardless of a late introduction to the game.
Osazee performed soccer, Gaelic soccer and ran cross nation as a baby in Eire. He believes taking part in these sports activities helped form his motion and leaping potential.
He and his household (each dad and mom from Nigeria) moved to Milton when he was about 10.
“It was undoubtedly so much totally different,” stated Osazee. “Individuals, the meals, simply the setting. A approach larger metropolis. Over (in Dublin), it’s a small space, (a small metropolis). Simply being in a distinct setting, actually. Assembly a number of totally different individuals.”
He started taking part in basketball in seventh grade. Though he confirmed promise at rebounding and defending, he struggled to attain initially.
“There have been guys in my city that would actually play at a younger age,” he stated. “However simply seeing these guys and eager to work exhausting and get to that degree, be capable to compete. That basically obtained me to a distinct gear, training-wise and mentally.”
Persistence, self-discipline and psychological toughness have aided him in his management function with the Motive Prep group. His versatility and exhausting work distinguish him within the viewpoint of his coach.
“I feel the most important factor for me that stands out with him and makes him a high-level participant is his potential to play a number of positions,” Motive Prep head coach Timmance Mckinney stated. “The place the sport’s at at present, if you have a look at the NBA degree, probably the most beneficial guys on the courtroom (are) the blokes who can play 2-through-4, 2-through-5, that may guard 2-through-4, 2-through-5. And he’s a man that may do this. Additionally, his work ethic. I’ve been round basketball my complete life, teaching for 11 years. However I’ve by no means seen somebody work as exhausting as him.”
Motive Prep, an unbiased Boston-based academy by way of which Osazee takes on-line programs, was fashioned in 2021 by Mckinney and his sister, Leanna Knight. Taking part in over 20 video games per season, it competes in opposition to NEPSAC faculties and different prep faculties however doesn’t take part in a postseason event. Osazee has had a blast.
“Over time seeing it develop, I’m loving it,” he stated. “I imply, being part of historical past with a prep faculty like this. I’m actually having fun with it.”
Final yr, he led Motive Prep in scoring (22 factors per sport) and rebounding (10 rebounds per sport) within the overwhelming majority of its video games. He stood out particularly in a loss to Moravian Prep (North Carolina), ending with 22 factors and 10 rebounds regardless of suiting up with two eighth-graders in opposition to an opponent stacked with postgraduates.
“I feel that was in all probability his finest sport, contemplating that they had 12 D1 commits,” stated Mckinney. “And his matchup was Kohl Rosario, who reclassified and is now at Kansas. I feel Vince actually performed at a excessive degree and confirmed people who he’s a high-level man and might compete with five-star guys.”
Osazee’s favourite Motive Prep reminiscence, although, is this system’s first win in 2021 in opposition to Boston Trinity Academy, wherein he had 22 factors and 10 rebounds.
“That was massive time,” he stated. “I imply, that’s historical past. I used to be taking part in with a very high-level level guard on the time too, so the group was actual good.”
After receiving a number of Div. 1 faculty gives from across the nation, Osazee selected the College of the Pacific.
“They suppose that I’m an NBA participant, which is my childhood dream since I began taking part in basketball,” he stated. “In addition they instructed me stuff that I didn’t wish to hear myself and stuff that I might need to comply with with a view to get there. I wish to go to a program the place it’s a great degree for me and I feel the West Coast Convention is an ideal degree for me to compete. I imply, (West Coast Convention groups) produce a number of professionals, like (Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder stays) Jalen Williams (and) Chet (Holmgren).”
He watches and emulates gamers that excel offensively and defensively, notably small forwards like Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.
“You by no means know what place you’re going to play, what function you’re going to be given,” Osazee stated. “Simply figuring out protection is a ability and guys receives a commission to play protection. Me and Timmance have been speaking about actually diving deep into that. Actually busting my (butt) on protection the previous few practices too and simply emphasizing that protection may get me paid sooner or later.”
