Hoops Commit Bilal Osman Excited About Future At UMass

2025 basketball prospect Bilal Osman talks about committing to the Minutemen this week.

Bilal Osman wasn’t necessarily planning to end his recruitment this week, but after an official visit to UMass, the 6-foot-8, 200-pounder decided it was time.

“It was just the coaching staff, really,” Osman told Minuteman Command. “I feel like there's a lot I can learn from Coach Frank (Martin) and his staff.”

The 2025 prospect was on campus for his official Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Just seeing the guys and what they have to say about everything on campus and how they run their stuff,” he continued. “I feel like UMass is somewhere where I can develop and show my abilities.”

Martin let the wing from Tacoma, Wash., by way of Stockholm, Sweden know there would be opportunities for him in Amherst.

“He said that from day one, I'm going to be able to stay on the floor if I can defend, because I'm big and I can hit shots and help them on that side,” Osman said of Martin.

“He said, I'm going to have to earn everything and the work is going to show itself. He said the guys who work out a lot and show that they want to work, they play.”

Osman was impressed with Martin on and off the court.

“Coach Frank Martin is a great guy,” he said. “I just wanted to see how they run their stuff. He's kind of a hard coach, but he coaches with passion and that's the whole meaning behind it. He likes to be energetic both in practice and he takes a lot of things seriously.

“But off the court, he's a great guy. We went to eat dinner and I feel like he is a good guy for sure.”

Osman felt like he’d fit with the other players on the team and in the UMass community as well.

“Seeing the dining halls, seeing everything, how nice campus is and seeing they have great guys, that was the biggest thing,” he said. “It felt like home to be honest.”

Osman chose the Minutemen over offers from Arizona State and Long Island.

“There were a bunch of other schools I was talking to that I was planning on going on officials to, but I really felt like UMass is the place,” he said.

Osman came over to the States two years ago.

“The main goal was to help my recruitment and get better,” he said. “It is pretty hard getting recruited from overseas. I felt like coming here was the best thing for my recruitment and development.”

And now, his next step is coming to Amherst to continue the developmental process.

“I'm really excited. I can't wait to get on campus and start working out.”