Back in 2005, he was known as Skip Esene, the only hoopster in the UH-Hilo men’s basketball team’s history to earn a postseason player of the year award.
Osadonor Esene, who goes by the nickname “Osa” now, averaged 21.3 points per game and was named the PacWest player of the year for the 2004-05 season as a senior.
Where is Osa now and what has he been doing?
“I’ve been in Portland (Oregon) coaching high school basketball, junior college and Division II for the last 15 years after I was done playing,” he said. “I mainly coach and help students in middle school. My big goal is to coach full-time.”
After UHH, he played pro ball in Germany for five years. Then he moved to Portland, where his coaching career began.
He’s seen some of Germany’s architectural wonders, such as the cathedrals and temples.
But one thing he won’t forget is being introduced to Germany’s unofficial motto: Drink beer from big mug.
“My teammates and I went out to have a beer,” Esene said. “They have these big mugs. I had one, and it hit me good.”
Esene is 39 years old, turns 40 in August and has been married for three years. He and his wife do not have any children.
He was an athletic small forward at 6 feet, 6 and played two years during the 2002-03 and 2004-05 seasons. He redshirted in between to focus on his academics.
Esene, who’s originally from Los Angeles, graduated with a communications degree in 2005, a proud moment as the first in his family with a college diploma.
He was part of the last great Vulcan team in 2005, when the program had winning records and packed the stands.
That year, under former coach Jeff Law, the Vulcans finished 25-4 and captured their last PacWest title, a fading memory of glory after nine consecutive losing seasons.
GE Coleman’s contract wasn’t renewed after seven straight losing years. The job still remains vacant.
Esene applied for the UHH job but didn’t make the final cut. Still, he’s willing to return to the program in other roles.
“I’d like to be an assistant,” he said. “I still want to be part of the program.”
Esene only has fond memories during his time at UHH.
“It was my first time in Hawaii. We had big crowds and lots of support after games,” he said. “One of my best memories was after a couple of dunks this kid came to me and said, ‘You jump so high. I wish I could do that.’ I told him, ‘The only reason I look like I jump high is because you’re so short. I’m taller and you can see that I’m not jumping that high.’
“The faculty and administration were amazing. My math tutors were always there to support me. For someone like me, I needed that support, and I appreciated that.”
Esene coached one season at Blue Mountain Community College in Oregon and one year as an assistant at Concordia in Irvine, Calif., where he earned a Master’s in coaching and athletic administration.
He’s the founder and owner of Ball Out PDX, an AAU youth organization in Portland.
Esene takes his coaching cues from his old coach, Jeff Law, Kamehameha’s assistant athletic director.
“He was firm but patient in what he wants done. He was always patient about it,” Esene said. “He was patient, firm and caring. I use all three in my coaching.
“He’s a very personable guy and knew when to turn it off and be a friend and a mentor. I really enjoyed that. I didn’t have any family in Hilo, and my teammates were my family. Coach would always ask how’s my mom and dad and how are things back home. He took the time to ask how we were doing.”
Esene recently called Law on Thursday and still keeps in touch through social media with a few teammates, including Kyle Bartholomew, Ryan Hogue, and Joe Marsh.
Wherever Esene has been, he’s worked on improving his life, like going back for his Master’s at Concordia. What he learned from Jeff Law, he’s now passing the baton to his players.
“What I enjoy about coaching is building relationships and seeing them develop,” he said. “I’ll coach a kid in the fifth grade and see his character build up as he gets older. That’s what I enjoy the most.”
