American Overseas School of Rome's Otis Reale goes to the basket against Rota's Luis Fuertes in the boys Division II championship game at the DODDS-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Saturday Feb. 21, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
There aren’t a lot of things Otis Reale can’t do on a basketball court. In his sophomore season at American Overseas School of Rome, Reale had to find out what he should do.
“I was more of a role model this year,” Reale said. “I talked to my teammates a lot this year. “My leadership stepped up.”
Like so many preternaturally talented players before him, Reale faced a paradox. He was offensively gifted enough to create opportunities for himself at will. Such shots would often be the best outcome his team could hope for on a given possession. In short, Reale shooting a lot gives AOSR its best chance to win.
But as those players almost invariably learn, that formula only works to a certain extent. Basketball, after all, is a team game.
Reale has been exploring that concept for two years, from the time he debuted as a freshman phenom to lead the Falcons to a surprise European semifinal berth to his ascent to unquestioned DODDS-Europe stardom this winter. But the issue truly crystallized Feb. 21 in the 2015 DODDS-Europe Division II boys basketball championship game.
Reale had gotten off to his typical prolific start, scoring 10 first-quarter points on two three-pointers and a pair of fast-break layups. The Falcons pulled ahead of the Rota Admirals by 14 points.
But then things tightened up. Rota adjusted defensively, playing a four-man box around the key while sending a quick-footed fifth defender to shadow Reale incessantly. Reale went scoreless in the second quarter and scored one lone basket in the third. The lead was halved to seven entering the fourth quarter.
The questions Reale had long been tackling stood in front of him then, more formidable than ever. Questions he summarizes as “leadership,” “communication,” and “playmaking.” In sum, he said, they amount to “reading the moment.”
Reale’s interpretation of that season-defining moment was perfect. He drew the swarm of Admiral defenders and then, at just the right time, dropped a pass to an open teammate. Big man Greg China was rewarded for his constant presence around the basket with a series of Reale assists setting up China for six of his 12 points. Forward Axel Peeters took advantage of the expanding floor for four of his eight points.
The Rota defense was forced to ease its singular focus on Reale to devote attention to his Falcon teammates. Reale responded with a pair of fourth-quarter buckets that helped ice the game and AOSR’s first-ever DODDS championship in the sport.
The game was a departure from his typical performance in a regular season in which he averaged more than 30 points per game. And if circumstances call for it, Reale won’t hesitate to pour in as many points as the defense allows him.
The calculations come naturally to him; AOSR athletic director Daniel Zacaroli pointed out that Reale is one of the school’s most accomplished math students.
Though his tactics might fluctuate, his approach is constant.
“I try not to change my game plan,” Reale said. “I do what I have to do.”
Reale did everything he had to do this season, including leading AOSR to a 42-28 victory over Rota for the DODDS-Europe Division II championship. As a result, Reale is the 2015 Stars and Stripes boys basketball Athlete of the Year.
And at the midway point of what is shaping up to be an historic DODDS-Europe career, Reale is far from finished.
This summer, Reale plans to make another in a series of summer visits to Los Angeles, where he hopes to get some court action against players with experience at higher levels of play. Meanwhile, the Rome native will continue to play against older and tougher opponents in local Italian club play.
“Every summer, every year, every day I try to improve,” Reale said.
One moment at a time.
Twitter: @broomestripes
