MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Gabe Osabuohien says it's his strong will to win that finds him constantly on the floor taking charges.
 
Nobody in college basketball does it better than the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Osabuohien. He's already taken 20 this year, including three against Kansas, and about the same number of charges taken last season.
 
"It's a part of my game now, I can't even explain it," he says. "It's like second nature. It comes from playing hard. You see how charges can affect a game and it's just become a part of me. I feel like it's needed sometimes if we're down or the game is close and it can really change a game. I see my teammates feed off of it sometimes."
 
The senior Toronto resident is having his best season statistically for the Mountaineers in 2022. Prior to yesterday's Texas Tech game, Osabuohien was averaging 5.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 17 points in a recent loss to Oklahoma and he also leads the team with 138 deflections.
 
He says scoring has always been a part of his game, even though he's only just now beginning to display it in college.
 
"I've always felt like I could score the ball - it's whatever the team needs from me," he explains. "In high school, I used to score all the time with 30-point games and stuff like that. When I came to college it's about finding your role. You go from being the best player on your team to a freshman in college (at Arkansas) playing with six seniors and the three leading scorers in the SEC, so it's getting used to finding your role. This year it's been more of an offensive role."
 
Another somewhat overlooked aspect of Osabuohien's game is his passing. He's probably the best passer on the team operating from the high post.
 
"Passing comes natural. I've been playing with Sean (McNeil) and Taz (Sherman) since I've been here, so I know when they want the ball with handoffs or shots on the wing," he says. "It's become natural with them."
 
Without question, Osabuohien's biggest value to the team is his willingness to play hard. He never leaves anything out on the floor when he suits up for a game. That's a trait all hard-working West Virginians can admire.
 
"I play hard because I realize how much of a value it is playing at this level," he says. "Where I come from it's hard. I lost a lot of friends growing up so I just said I would play hard for them and try and make the best out of my situation for me, my friends and my family.
 
He says he also plays hard for the name on the front of his jersey – West Virginia.
 
"Another year at West Virginia obviously means a lot. I just want to play my hardest and represent the state and the fans the best that I can," he concludes.
 
This week's Life as a Mountaineer was produced by Sean Merinar and is presented each week by Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration.