HAMDEN — The emergence of Quinnipiac junior Ousmane Drame into
one of the top post players in mid-major college basketball has
been about decisions and commitment more so than refining
natural ability. To watch him play is to see nearly the complete
package, size and strength mixed with skills that have developed
— check that, skills that were attained starting from scratch —
only when Drame became interested in the sport at a late age.
"You don't understand," said Cory McCarthy, Drame's coach at New
Mission High School in Boston. "This is the kid who was so bad
that kids used to make fun of him. It's hard to think about what
Ous has accomplished. I'm not much of a smiler, but it brings a
smile to my face. He was definitely awkward, the kid nobody
believed in."  There were small building blocks, such as a nice
left-handed touch. When Drame was in middle school, a security
guard would stop what he was doing and watch in awe as Drame,
who gave up soccer as a kid in the west African country of
Guinea because he