Muonelo makes his mark on OSU

For those who have had classes with Obi Muonelo, you remember it.

Usually on the first day of classes, the professor calls out names from the roll sheet and asks if anybody prefers to go by something different.
The William's go by Bill, Kathryn's change to Kate.

But when the 6-foot-5 Muonelo raises his hand, the unexpected is sure to follow.

"The Obe-ster," Muonelo said. "I also go by Movie."

Muonelo said he has had some professors ignore the comment and others call him by his preferred name the entire semester, but he said he does it just to shake things up.

"It's fun to do instead of saying a regular name, just call me something else because life is too short," he said. "That is just how I feel and I don't worry what other people think, that is just the way I am."

Coach Travis Ford said Muonelo is a distinct individual and nobody should be surprised by his antics.

"You are talking about a young man that has got an incredible personality and is one of the favorites probably of all the players because he is very entertaining," Ford said. "But, yeah, he is a unique guy.

When Muonelo was being recruited out of Edmond Santa Fe High School in 2006, he was considered a five star recruit and the No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma.

The decision to pick the Cowboys came easy, Muonelo said.

"It felt good because I made a quick decision and it just felt right, and it was right," Muonelo said.

Now, Muonelo and the rest of the Cowboys will attempt to make it two straight NCAA Tournament berths as OSU faces Nebraska on Saturday for Senior Day and Muonelo's last game on Eddie Sutton court.

"I have been through the highs and lows of OSU," Muonelo said. "I have seen the program change and I have seen the program start there and finish here."

Despite playing his last game in front of OSU fans in Gallagher-Iba, Muonelo said he couldn't be more proud of how his career has turned out.

"I am happy. I have mixed emotions because I am going to miss fans and playing in Gallgher-Iba Arena, but for the most part I feel like it's a huge accomplishment," Muonelo said. "College basketball is real hard, and to play at a school like this for four years it is just a blessing, I just thank God for it."

Ford said Muonelo's success at OSU is due in large part to the fantastic attitude Muonelo has shown since he took over as coach.

"Obi is just by nature an extremely positive person. Success usually comes to people like that," Ford said. "Stay positive through adversity. I have always said he is one of the hardest-working players I have ever been around."

Junior guard James Anderson said he wants to send ‘The Obe-ster' out in style.

"It will be a special game for him and I'm sure he will have everybody from back home here," he said. "I want to help him go out with a bang on a winning note."

Muonelo said the thing he is most proud of while at OSU is the renewed sense of passion from fans.

"I feel like our school and our fans have gotten that OSU pride back little by little," he said. "I think our fans have gotten back that OSU pride that was lost."