It's likely AJ Oscona would still have embraced basketball as his sport of choice despite some efforts playing baseball but having a relative involved in hoops provided the visual attractions that clinched his decision. "My auntie played at D2 Stanislaus State," said Oscona, "and we would go and watch her. Plus my Grandpa played D3 basketball and helped coach at Vallejo High and St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School." Basketball was and is definitely all in this family. "I've been around the game my whole life and it became a passion," Oscona explained.
Oscona, a 6-foot sophomore point at Vallejo High, prides himself on "creating space for my teammates and myself. But if I'm not shooting well, I step up elsewhere by taking charges, getting stops and rebounds."
Regarding being front and center for his teams, for Oscona leadership "is setting the tone, being an example for others at full intensity. But I'm trying to be more vocal."
Oscona joined forces with Coach Brandon Bracy and Team Rampage "when I was 12 and I really want to thank him for helping me get better and better. I started out doing decently in the camps and I appreciate that Coach Bracy keeps it real by pointing out my flaws and mistakes and even pulling me when I not reacting fast enough. He's a real mentor."
Another mentor of sorts is Oscona's father. "He stays on me, especially about my grades." That must be working since AJ sports a 4.0 grade point average. "I try and get my homework done before practice even though I might feel like taking a nap. Or I push through if I feel like going back to sleep because its early in the morning.
A no longer continual battle because Oscona has sped past his father is when they used to battle one-on-one. "My Dad could take me when I was younger but now I've gotten way better than him."
As for recruiting preferences, "it depends on the program and the best fit for me. I will take the best opportunity for myself." He has no set geographical parameters, with one exception. "I want to get on USF's radar."
As for Vallejo High this year, "I think we're going to shock a lot of people. Our energy is high even though we lost Tyriq McNeal to transfer."
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