Transfer Forward Malik Osborne Commits to Florida State

Florida State basketball filled an open roster spot on Tuesday afternoon. Transfer forward Malik Osborne, out of Rice University, made it official that he has committed to the Seminoles.

Rice transfer Malik Osborne tells me he has committed to Florida State. As a freshman he averaged 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Chose FSU over Wisconsin.

— Ellie Lieberman (@ellieliebs) May 29, 2018

Osborne is originally from Don Bosco Prep Academy in Park Forest, Illinois — the same high school as current FSU power forward Mfiondu Kabengele. He committed to the Rice Owls out of high school and was a freshman for the 2017-18 season. He started 27 games for the Owls, averaging nine points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He also came up with 24 blocks and 19 steals. Osborne shot a little over 50 percent from the field and 26 percent from deep.

Rice finished 7-24 overall and 4-14 in Conference USA, missing out on the postseason entirely. The Owls have not been to an NCAA Tournament since 1970.

Osborne fills a much needed frontcourt spot for the Seminoles after Ike Obiagu transferred from Florida State earlier this summer. Osborne is a 6-foot-8 small forward who has the size to contribute down low. He will not be able to play in the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Florida State is fresh off one of its best seasons in school history. The team made an improbable Elite Eight run that involved beating the top-seeded Xavier Musketeers and No. 4 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs.

The program has been hit with multiple transfers in the offseason, including two starters in point guard C.J. Walker and center Ike Obiagu. Walker transferred to Ohio State while Obiagu transferred to Seton Hall.

The Seminoles beat out Wisconsin, San Diego State, and Kansas State for Osborne’s services.

Clint Eiland is the lead writer for The Daily Nole. Follow him on Twitter @ClintEiland