Osweiler considering basketball at ASU

Former Flathead High standout Brock Osweiler would like to give basketball another shot, an Arizona State University spokesman confirmed on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore at ASU is currently the backup quarterback for the Sun Devils and recently expressed interest in playing a second sport once football season ends.

"It's being considered," ASU assistant sports information director Randy Policar said. "Steps are being taken. Football is still his priority."

A 2009 Flathead graduate, Osweiler was all-state in basketball his first three years of high school before foregoing his senior season to participate in spring football practices in Tempe, Arizona. As a junior for the Braves, Osweiler averaged 21 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. Osweiler made a verbal commitment to play basketball for Gonzaga following his freshman season but after his junior year he announced he would pursue football.

The Sun Devils basketball team starts the season next Tuesday with five returning players, including three starters, from last year's 22-10 team. Head coach Herb Sendek was named the Pac-10 coach of the year last year after the Sun Devils finished second in the conference, the program's best finish since 1981. Despite its runner-up finish, Arizona State was denied an invite to the NCAA Tournament and settled for a No. 1 seed in the NIT, where they were upset in the first round.

Osweiler has played in three football games this season, going a combined 13-for-24 for 150 yards with no touchdowns.

The Sun Devils have three games left in the regular season with a potential bowl game after that. Osweiler would not participate in basketball until after that, Policar said.