Canadian Kemy Osse becomes sixth UALR basketball signee

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Kemy Osse
UALR has signed 6-2 guard Kemy Osse, a native Canadian who played at Archbishop Carroll in Washington, D.C.
Osse joins fall signees Josh Hagins, John Gillon, Stetson Billings, Mareik Isom and Andrew Poulter. All except Poulter are guards.

Osse is a shooting guard whose slashing moves remind us a little of former UALR Trojan and Sun Belt Conference player of the year Solomon Bozeman. Check out this video and see if you agree.

Osse averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists as a senior.

He figures to get a shot at the 2 guard position with what looks to be a competitive group of newcomers fighting for minutes with returnee sophomore Ben Dillard.

Here's a look at UALR commitment Kemy Osse

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Here's a look at Kemy Osse, who is expected to sign with UALR today. All highlight tapes make players look good, but this gives you an idea of the type of player he is.

UALR expected to sign at least one during spring signing period

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UALR is expected to at least one player in the spring signing period, which begins on Wednesday.

UALR’s known commitment at this point is Kemy Osse, a 6-1/6-2 shooting guard from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. Osse is a Canadian who moved to D.C. and went to school at Carroll. Osse played for Canada in the FIBA Americas Under 18  and Under 19 tournaments the past two years.

SLAM! Online had this to say about him:

Kemy's perimeter game is probably more developed than anyone else on this list. Although undersized at the shooting guard position, his speed and great ball handling make up for it. Kemy does most of his damage off the dribble, where he freezes opponents then drills jumpers in their face. He's a tough matchup as  he keeps defenders off balance and creates space for his shots. Defensively, although this may sound silly to say, (due to his height) Kemy is a great help defender thanks to his long arms. He can also be devastating at times as an on-ball defender with his foot speed, but he will need to assert himself in this area.

ESPN, which rated him a 78, wrote this:

A scoring combo that does his damage off the dribble. Kemy can fill it up and knows how to score. He creates great space with dribble moves and footwork and has the length to get it off. He has a smooth, tight release with limited motion.




UALR may add to signing class on Wednesday

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The month-long spring signing period begins on Wednesday and we expect UALR to be active.

It's been a strange spring for recruiting. UALR signed five players in the fall and has five players departing. But the coaching staff has still been actively on the recruiting trail. There are no public commitments yet, at least that we know of.

Here's what we do know:
  • UALR is scheduled to lose seniors Courtney Jackson, D'Andre Williams, Marlon Louzeiro and Tramar Sutherland along with sophomore Chuck Guy, who is transferring.
  • UALR is scheduled to gain freshmen recruits Josh Hagins, John Gillon, Mareik Isom, Stetson Billings and Andrew Poulter.
  • UALR has had recruits visit since the season ended.
Stay tuned!

Neighbour to have surgery, should be OK for season

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UALR junior Will Neighbour tells Burn The Horse he is going to have surgery on his injured shoulder but that he should be ready for the 2012-2013 season.

Neighbour injured the shoulder Dec. 31 at Denver and was able to play through pain most of the season. It will take about three months for him to get to the point where he can begin to do basketball-related workouts.

It's a big sacrifice for Neighbour, who was invited to Great Britain's Olympic team tryout camp in Houston. While Neighbour was likely a longshot to make the final roster, the opportunity to showcase his talent in front of the national team coaches would have been valuable. Neighbour had hoped to strengthen the shoulder enough to get an opportunity at training camp. Had he further postponed the surgery it would have jeopardized his ability to play for UALR next season. Neighbour has already used a medical redshirt year and there would be no guarantee the NCAA would grant him a sixth year of eligibility.

It might also be his last chance at the Olympics. Great Britain qualified this year because London is the host city. They will be a major longshot to make the Olympics four or eight years from now.

Neighbour had a similar injury and surgery on the other shoulder before his original sophomore season at Daytona State College.