Ostler keeps options open on eve of NBA draft
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Troy Ostler was never considered a one-dimensional player for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.
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He could shoot feathery jump shots, throw down ferocious dunks, or block shots with the best of the big men in the Western Athletic Conference. Basically, he had several options.
Former UH forward Troy Ostler, right, defended Michigan State's Andre Hutson in an NBA pre-draft camp three weeks ago in Chicago.
So it's quite fitting that the day before tomorrow's NBA Draft, Ostler was working on "another option."
Ostler, a star forward for the Rainbows the past two seasons, was invited to a tryout this week with Mitsubishi, a team from Japan's top professional league. The sessions are being held in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Ostler is one of eight American players battling for two open spots on the team.
"If the NBA doesn't work out, I'll be very interested (in Japan)," Ostler said. "All I'm looking for now is a chance to play somewhere professionally."
Ostler is considered a long shot to get drafted tomorrow. The NBA Draft consists of only two rounds, or 58 total selections. Although he played power forward and center at UH, Ostler is ranked 25th among small forwards eligible for the draft by NBADraftReport.com.
The Web site says Ostler "can shoot with decent range and runs the floor well, as well as being able to hit nice mid-range shots. Not the best defender or rebounder, though."
If Ostler is not drafted, even a free-agent contract with an NBA team appears unlikely. His agent, Ben Pensack, said many NBA scouts have expressed concern over Ostler's thin body frame.
"They all say he needs to get a lot stronger," Pensack said. "We haven't given up hope, but we've come to the realization that another option is probably going to be needed right now."
Ostler was one of 65 players in the NBA Pre-Draft Camp at Chicago three weeks ago. He was impressive on the court, shooting 7-of-10 from the field in three games. However, during the official height-and-weight checks, Ostler measured 6 feet 10 and just 200 pounds.
"I feel like I showed that I can play," Ostler said. "I'd like to think there's still a chance (of getting drafted), but I'm not getting my hopes up. If I do get drafted, it'll be a huge surprise. If I don't, I won't be disappointed."
In any case, Pensack said Japan could become a fruitful alternative. American players in the Japanese league are usually signed to guaranteed contracts worth about $200,000 per year, according to Pensack.
"It's a really stable market," he said. "If they want Troy, it would be a good move."
Ostler went through a five-hour workout with Mitsubishi coaches and officials yesterday. Another two-hour session is scheduled today.
"It was rough," he said. "We went through tons of drills, and then we scrimmaged. . . . I felt like I did OK. I've been keeping in shape back home (West Valley City, Utah)."
Ostler averaged 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds for Hawai'i last season, and was a co-captain of the team that won the WAC Tournament championship. In two seasons, he compiled 88 blocked shots, the third-best total in UH history.
Pensack said teams from Spain, Belgium and Lithuania have already inquired about Ostler, so even if he does not sign with Mitsubishi, "he'll definitely end up playing somewhere."
