Oklahoma basketball: Romero Osby takes leadership seriously

A year and a half later, Osby, now a senior, is the obvious leader of the Sooners. He's the rock. The consistent scorer. The guy who will give advice but doesn't get too much in another guy's ear. The guy who will direct OU in its third conference game of the season at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Texas Tech.

Osby said he learned that from his father and grandfather. His father, Daryl, said Romero was born into it.

Daryl Osby was raised by a man who was independent. He owned his own business, instilled confidence in his son and daughter. Today, James Osby, Romero's grandfather, instills confidence and faith in others as a preacher.

“My dad instilled it in me,” Daryl told The Oklahoman. “And I instilled it in my son.”

Romero was raised in a disciplined household. His father was in the Army when he was born. When Romero was young, Daryl tried to teach him to do things on his own, but said he never really needed to teach very hard. Romero was naturally independent. Once, his dad tried to show him how to play video games on their Sega Genesis.

“I'd try to teach him and he'd just want to do it on his own,” Daryl said. “He'd just start playing. He got better than I did.”

As Romero grew, father and son would watch sports together, and Daryl would use the athletes and the moments to teach his son right from wrong.