DENTON — Curtained behind the craziness of the outside world since 2020 was a Mean Green giant.
While few watched, the titan worked.
Enduringly putting in the work to improve and patiently waiting for his time to rise above the shadow, North Texas’ Abou Ousmane in one year transformed from a project into one of Conference USA’s best big-man.
The 6-foot-10 Ousmane during his sophomore season took over the starting role, increased his scoring average by almost eight more points per game and grabbed nearly four more rebounds per game while being trusted to play over 23 minutes per game.
“Opponents know my name now,” Ousmane said.
One of the first names on the scouting report, what’s frightening to the opposition now is where does it stop?
Last year as a freshman, Ousmane showed flashes of where he could be — scoring six points on 3-of-3 shooting in 13 minutes at West Virginia. Holding his own in short sprints to help lead UNT over Purdue in the NCAA Tournament.
“I understood my role and was good with it,” Ousmane said. “I found a way to contribute and learn a lot behind Zach who became like an older brother to me.”
Throughout the 2020-21 season, Ousmane and senior Zachary Simmons were two peas in a pod. The veteran Simmons with over 100 games played under his belt and nearly all starts showed the freshman the way. And when things got tough, Simmons was there for Ousmane to lean on.
“He cared,” Ousmane said of Simmons.” About the program, the team and making sure us young guys would be ready to take the torch.”
What most fans didn’t see was the extra work Ousmane put in outside of the daily practices. Every day Ousmane worked on his athleticism, basketball skills and knowledge of the game with coaches.
What must have been painfully long suffering, Ousmane did meticulous drills every day by himself.
And it all has started to pay off so there was no sophomore slump.
Three games into his second season Ousmane dominated with single-game career highs in scoring and rebounding.
Then on Jan. 13 at Marshall, he took that step.
Revving on high Ousmane dropped in bucket after bucket. He fought through physical play, brought up the intensity so much so his teammates had to calm him down and by the end of it led the Mean Green to a victory with 22 points and 11 rebounds. His first career double double.
“I felt like no one could stop me,” Ousmane said. “But it’s just the beginning.”
Ousmane became the anchor Simmons was for many years. A dominate force in the paint on offense and the center of the UNT defense. His energy, fight and willingness to work hard led North Texas another conference championship, 15 straight wins and 25 overall win — an all-time great UNT season. Even in the conclusion, Ousmane showed he can play with the best of them.
On March 20 versus Virginia in the second round of the NIT, Ousmane scored 16 points on 60 percent shooting.
“It showed me I can do this against anyone,” Ousmane said. “Not that I didn’t ever believe it but to see and feel the hard work you do behind the scene when no one is watching show on the floor when everyone is watching makes me believe I know I can be even better and I have no ceiling.”