Sam Osterello was offered a Purdue scholarship and shortly accepted after an appearance at the Purdue Elite Camp in 2007. The relatively unknown South Dakota prospect was tipped off to the staff by her high school, and she made a quick trip to West Lafayette for the June camp. The 6'2 multi-positional forward showed skills ranging from ball handling, perimeter shooting, to post play. Coupled with the fact she was almost a year younger than her classmates and word she dunked at a Colorado camp, Ostarello had a huge upside to her already impressive game. She also is a two time Class A State High Jump champion in track and field while finishing 6th in the triple jump as a junior. She has been an all-state band participant for the last three years and is a member of the Stanley County Student Council and the National Honor Society. She also played football and volleyball for her high school, carrying a 3.39 GPA. She is expected to settle into the wing position at Purdue.
Ostarello averaged 22.3 points and 14 rebounds as a senior, helping Stanley County to a 19-3 record. She finished her career as the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She finished with 1,581 career points, averaging 19.1 ppg; pulled down 1,075 rebounds, averaging 12.9 rpg; handed out 422 career assists, a 4.1 per game average; blocked 280 shots, 3.5 bpg and grabbed 241 career steals, 2.8 spg.
Ostarello averaged 20.3 points and 11.7 rebounds for Stanley County as a junior, helping the team to an eighth-place finish in the state tournament and a 19-7 record. She also added 3.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.7 blocks per game. She finished her junior year with 1,996 career points, 768 career rebounds, 209 career assists, 201 career blocked shots and 170 career steals.
Ostarello plans to major in health sciences and wants to become and orthopedic physical therapist. She orally committed to Purdue 6/22/07 over Oklahoma, and signed during the early signing period on 11/12/08.
Stanley County head coach Tom Rogers..."Sam has a true passion for the game of basketball, she loves the game. She is one of the hardest working players I have coached over the last 21 years. Sam was always dedicated at working on the fundamentals of the game. The little things that have made her the player she is today. Sam was always willing to do what the team needed to try to win. When she was a sophomore she accepted the role of being the sixth man off the bench even though she clearly knew she was the better player. But, her coming off the bench kept the team chemistry in balance and gave us a big spark that year, She is a great role model for the youth of the Ft. Pierre community, not just as a basketball player, but in demonstrating how to balance a busy schedule, from school activities, homework, holding down a job, and still finding time to work on her basketball skills. Sam always found balance in her life." (May 3, 2009)
Mitch Stephens of MaxPreps..."The Purdue-bound wing is extremely versatile and had a tremendous summer. There’s not much she can’t
do on the court but her strength is a nice mid-range game." (December 1, 2008)
Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp..."Sam is an extremely versatile athlete who has a very long frame, is skilled and is strong competitor.
She is the state high jump winner and has used her leaping ability on the basketball court by dunking in a couple of AAU games. Right now
she is ranked as the top-15 player in the country. Sam has great hands and can play inside or outside, and can shoot the
three. She has great court vision which enables her to be a great passer. Her all around skill is what separates her from other players
her size. She has the ability to rebound the ball and run within our style." (November 12, 2008)
Minnesota-based scout Kevin Anderson..."Sam Ostarello, Stanley County, SD 8, 13, 61.5, .308 was all over the court, and in a good way. 10 defensive stops with blocks, steals, and rebounds, very good athlete. Won SD state high jump. Can grab rim. Very energetic. Can score in, out, 3s, and drive. Offensively, problem was teammates weren't ready for the ball even when they were open. Had a tendency to force offense." (October 1, 2008)
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