This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Seattle • Chantel Osahor would like to make sure this much is clear about her unique shot that has become a signature of this NCAA Tournament:

Yes, it's unique. Very few players shoot from 20-feet without jumping. But ...

"I think my shot is pretty nice-looking, to be honest," Washington's junior forward said. "Just because I don't jump doesn't mean my form isn't good."

On a Washington team that has made one of the more surprising runs in recent NCAA history, there may be no bigger surprise than what Osahor has done. She has gone from role player to star during Washington's NCAA run, including a pair of games in the regional that will be hard to top.

Osahor had 19 points, 17 rebounds and five assists in the Sweet 16 win over Kentucky, then followed up with 24 points and 18 rebounds in Washington's win over Stanford to reach the Final Four for the first time in school history.

"It's a little strange because I've been doing the same thing since I've been here, since I've been playing basketball," Osahor said. "Now that it's getting attention, it's pretty cool."

The reasons for why Osahor shouldn't be playing in the Final Four are greater than why she's headed there as Washington faces Syracuse in the semifinals Sunday.

She was only discovered out of St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, Arizona, by Washington coach Mike Neighbors because he went to the wrong gym and the Huskies became the only team recruiting her.

"We beat absolutely zero people to get her," Neighbors said. "The recruiting battle was getting her on the phone and getting her to talk because she's not real talkative."

Once she arrived at Washington, Osahor was hit by a car while riding her bike near campus early in her freshman year. Once she returned from the shoulder problems caused by the accident, she suffered a stress fracture in her foot.

"I honestly thought of not wanting to play basketball anymore," Osahor said.

And yet, here she is two years later as one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament. —

Women's Final 4

At Indianapolis

Sunday's Semifinals

• UConn (36-0) vs. Oregon State (32-4), 4 p.m.

• Washington (26-10) vs. Syracuse (29-7), 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday's Championship

Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m.