Ostrowski standing pat
Junior point guard Miah Ostrowski’s unforeseen large role with the Hawaii men’s basketball team has many wondering if he’d forsake football next season (where his scholarship is) to play hoops full-time for Gib Arnold.
The answer: No.
Ostrowski said before the team left for its road trip this week that the loyalty the football team has shown him with a scholarship is important to him and he’s going to stick it out as a multi-sport athlete. He will still come across campus to play basketball, primarily for the WAC season, when football season is over in fall 2011.
If the Warriors make it to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl again, that means Miah will be back just after the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, as was the case this season when he crossed over for the first time.
Remember, Ostrowski is in line to be a starting slotback next season. He came in as a football player and he feels a duty to fulfill that obligation.
Miah needs to reconsider. He clearly is the key element that was missing from the basketball team and needs to focus on basketball. The football team has many receivers and he may not end up starting, or he might get injured. He is the local player who creates excitement and fills the Stan Sheriff.
We all knew this to be the case, but because he has been playing lights out some people are speculating. I understand that, but I appreciate a man keeping his word. Miah is a special person as he is an athlete.
Miah undstands that any future as a pro athelete, is better in football than basketball. He too short for basketball, does not have a deadly 3 pointer and not lightning quick with the ball. He is good enough to play at UH, but if with other BCS or top ten teams, he might have some difficulty. If he can catch (really good), and with some speed, he has a better chance to play pro football, even though he is relatively small. But again, he has not played much in prior years, so it might also be difficult, unless he has a tremendous year. He has good athleticism but due to size, it is difficult for him to outshine the big boys with speed.
Miah’s first love is basketball,he is smaller not as big as
Chad Owens, as far as pro sports Miah could probably make a living playing pro basketball in Asia, not the NFL or CFL
I agree that Miah probably has a better shot of playing professionally in basketball rather than football. I could see him making a pro team in Europe or Asia.
miah 5’9″/175lbs
chad 5’7″/180 lbs
Integrity and character are two of the many things that his parents instilled in him.
Miah is making the right choice.
I’m just happy to have a talented local athlete like him come to play for us and represent us well on 2 of our Warrior teams, regardless of his height and future potential!
I agree with protector. I’m sure he knows his limitations, but for now he’s making “bigger” contributions than anyone on the team who’s physically bigger and to do it after personal tragedies and keep up with his academics is truly commendable. Not to mention, he’s a 2 sport athlete! He’s living his dream. Which is more than some people who sit around pretending to be NBA or NFL scouts. He deserves better than to be scrutinized for his size.
A player’s skill set at the point guard position is much more important than his height. At the PG position, the player should be comfortable dribbling and passing the ball under heavy defensive pressure. He should also be able to penetrate off the dribble and pass the ball to other players with high-percentage shots. He is basically a QB on the floor that has a good understanding of the game and is able to direct his teammates in executing plays.
Miah possesses these attributes. He’s athletic, smart and able to handle the ball in high-pressure situations. If one recalls the Utah State and Nevada games, I think that proves he is able to handle pressure and is mentally tough. He may not be another NBA guard Nate Robinson (5’9″ – 180 with a 45″ vertical leap) who also played football at Washington, but considering that he came in half way through the season and has performed the way he’s done, I think his future as a player is very promising.