Xavier Transfer Center Abou Ousmane Commits to Oklahoma State

TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER

The Cowboys have a big man.

Xavier transfer center Abou Ousmane committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. Listed at 6-foot-10, 244 pounds, Ousmane has averaged eight points, 5.3 rebounds and one block a game through his first four seasons at the college level. He should have one year of eligibility remaining.

Let’s work !! pic.twitter.com/E703evlGsP

— Abou Ousmane (@IamAbouOusmane) May 14, 2024

“Abou is a strong, physical player who moves incredibly well for his size,” said OSU coach Steve Lutz in OSU’s release. “I love his versatility and the way he pursues rebounds. He’s another veteran guy who has played on championship level teams and will be a great addition to the Cowboy Family.”

Out of Brooklyn, New York, Ousmane started his career at North Texas, picking the Mean Green over offers from Rhode Island, Cleveland State, Bryant, Saint Louis and others. Rivals listed Ousmane as a three-star prospect.

Despite not being too heralded of a recruit, Ousmane made an instant impact at North Texas, playing in 26 games as a freshman. He then started all 32 of UNT’s games as a sophomore and averaged 10.2 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. He recorded his first career double-double as a sophomore against Marshall, putting up 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Ousmane made 34 starts as a junior, averaging 11.1 points, six rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game. That season included a 37-point, 11-rebound double-double against UTSA — one of five double-doubles for Ousmane in the season. He scored 20 or more points four times as a junior, recording a double-double in three of those instances.

He hit the portal ahead of last year and wound up at Xavier. In his one season with the Musketeers, Ousmane averaged 6.7 points and a career-high 6.7 rebounds a game while playing in the Big East. He had four double-doubles with Xavier, including a 16-point, 10-rebound effort against Seton Hall.

Ousmane enters Oklahoma State having tallied 1,008 points and 668 rebounds in his career. He boasts a career field-goal percentage of 49% and has shot 58% from the foul line.

Ousmane adds some much-needed size to the Cowboys’ roster as the only player listed taller than 6-foot-7. He becomes the sixth player Lutz has pulled from the portal, joining Arturo Dean (FIU), Robert Jennings II (Texas Tech), Marchelus Avery (UCF), Davonte Davis (Arkansas) and Brandon Newman (Western Kentucky). Ousmane is the 10th scholarship player on Lutz’s roster, meaning Lutz still has three scholarships to work with.