UCLA Women's Basketball: Charisma Osborne Shortlisted For Massive Year-End Award
Charisma Osborne really didn't have to be here.
The grad student point guard could easily have turned pro after her stellar 2022-23 senior season, during which she led UCLA to a 27-10 record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance, while notching Pac-12 All-Defense, All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Tournament accolades.
But she didn't. Instead, the 5'9" shooting guard opted to stick around, and now it appears that the larger college world has taken notice.
Per UCLA Communications, the Moreno Valley native has been shortlisted among the top 10 midseason contenders for the 2024 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, gifted to the top collegiate player at the two spot over the course of a given season.
Although her touches, minutes and scoring have taken a dip in a more egalitarian offensive system this season, her efficiency has rocketed up practically across the board. Across 17 games for the 15-2 Bruins, Osborne is averaging 14.6 points on .414/.370/.862 shooting splits, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals a night.
Maybe Charisma Osborne didn't have to stay in the protective cocoon of the amateur ranks this season, but she clearly knew Cori Close's club was on the cusp of something special. Now, she's got a real chance at the Drysdale honor and, perhaps even better, the NCAA title, at the helm of one of the best teams in the country.