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OHIO STATE BASKETBALL
Hoskins dreams of WNBA, coaching from OSU's bench
Torn Achilles tendon ends her playing time, but the C-J grad still contributes to Buckeyes' success.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
COLUMBUS — She's now part coach and part cheerleader, but she's still all Brandie.
"I'm how I was when I was playing — talking on the court," Ohio State senior guard Brandie Hoskins said Wednesday. "But you have to do it from the sidelines. I'd rather be out there talking."
Extras
The Chaminade-Julienne graduate and OSU's second-leading women's scorer this season talked for the first time publicly after tearing her Achilles tendon Feb. 9 at Minnesota.
Hoskins, who tore her other Achilles last spring, had surgery Feb. 12 and ended her career as the Buckeyes' 13th all-time leading scorer (1,462 points) and is fifth in assists with 471.
Despite again being saddled with crutches, Hoskins was talkative, funny and outspoken, just like usual.
Coach Hoskins
"I pretty much run the team," Hoskins said, giggling. "I'm just playing.
"Of course I'm sad about it, but my team's still playing. I try to cheer them on and stuff like that. I have to be strong and accept it."
Hoskins wants to coach someday.
"I told her, 'Your coaching career is getting a jump-
start,' " OSU coach Jim Foster said. "I've got no problems asking her questions. She knows me and what I want."
The injury hasn't made Hoskins more critical about her teammates.
"Brandie's always been brutally honest," fellow senior Jessica Davenport said. "So that didn't really matter."
More rehab
Last season's injury came during OSU's tournament loss. This time, there were five more regular-season games, the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments remaining.
Hoskins' last rehab took six months. That's a missed blessing.
"It's easy because I know how to rehab," Hoskins said. "But it's tough because I know how the rehab is going to be."
Foster said Hoskins' attitude is better.
"Last time, I think it really took a lot of wind out of her sails," Foster said. "It was like a hard punch in the stomach that you're not ready for. This time, she's done a lot of sit-ups. Her abs have responded a lot better."
WNBA dreams
Since the WNBA probably won't take a chance on a rehabbing Hoskins, she knows her hoops odyssey probably includes a trip to Europe first.
"I just want to play," she said.
"Then I want to get to the league. I'll get over there, make some money, get to the league, make some money. Basketball is everything to me."
Hoskins is confident in her abilities, despite the injury.
"I think everybody who knows me knows I have what it takes," she said. "It's not just athletic. I've got heart."
Buckeyes to honor seniors
Ohio State will honor seniors Jessica Davenport, Brandie Hoskins and Stephanie Blanton before today's 8 p.m. game against Penn State.
Including the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, the trio will lead OSU to its highest four-year win total. A third league title could come tonight.
"I keep hearing we've done a lot," Davenport said. "We just try to go out there and play every game like it's our last."
For Hoskins, that last game was Feb. 9. Now, tonight is her last home appearance.
"Whew," she said. "It's going to be emotional."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@daytondailynews.com.
