:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49304999/usa-today-9135403.0.jpg)
Sophomore forward Dylan Osetkowski announced his intentions to transfer to the Texas Longhorns on Twitter Tuesday evening. Osetkowski, who averaged 11.3 PPG and 8.3 RPG for the Tulane Green Wave last season, will sit out the 2016-17 season and have two years of eligibility remaining.
Osetkowski is originally from JSerra Catholic High School in San Diego, California. He was lightly recruited, and the only recruiting profile of him I could find was on ESPNU, where he was ranked a 2*. His older brother, Cory Osetkowski, played for Columbia and graduated in 2015.
Osetkowski the younger, a 6' 8", 245 lb forward, saw playing time immediately at Tulane as a freshman and became a full-time starter as a sophomore. I won't pretend to have seen some any Tulane action this year, but his rate stats compare favorably to Connor Lammert's sophomore year. Osetkowski's optimal role at Texas would mirror Lammert's last year: a stretch 4 who crashes the boards and provides secondary help defense.
As a mid-major starter, sophomore Osetkowski was leveraged into a larger role than sophomore Lammert, hence the higher per game stats. Osetkowski showed potential as a stretch 4, attempting 45 trey's (even if he hit only 12). Unlike Lammert, Osetkowski posted a mediocre 2-pt shooting percentage (46.6%), though this likely correlates with higher usage. He proved capable of drawing contact and getting to the line, attempting 131 free throws.
Osetkowski's rebounding rates correspond well to Lammert's and should remain constant as an upperclassmen. Osetkowski isn't a shot-blocker but could prove to be a plus defender, racking up 53 41 steals and 18 blocks as a sophomore.
His ability to hit 3's and capably defend will be key indicators of success during Osetkowski's tenure in Austin. Currently, Texas' big man pipeline consists only of Osetkowski and incoming freshman James Banks, so Osetkowski will have ample opportunity to earn playing time and potentially start come November 2017. Welcome to the Forty, Dylan.