College Hoops: Hand injury forces UAA’s Bishop Tosi to redshirt, but it hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm about playing for hometown team

Bishop Tosi

Bishop Tosi’s hand injury happened a month ago, but the decision became clear recently that he would redshirt and miss the rest of the season for the UAA men’s basketball team.

The 6-foot-6 junior forward from Anchorage will be missed after averaging 13.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in his first three games.

His final game of the season was Nov. 10 in Fairbanks against Chaminade, who he torched for 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 77-72 victory to snap UAA’s six-game losing streak against the Hawaiian squad.

In the final two minutes, Tosi went for a loose ball and got his pinky caught on the court and bent it back, causing a compound dislocation that required surgery that night.

“I knew it was serious pretty quickly because I could see my bone sticking out,” Tosi said.

There was speculation that if Tosi could return quickly enough, he wouldn’t have to sit out as a redshirt, but that wasn’t the case. He’s done for the season.

“I’m pretty content with redshirting,” Tosi said. “At first I was disappointed but it’s kind of a blessing in disguise. Basketball has been the main focus in my life for so long, it’s nice to have somewhat of a break.”

UAA’s Bishop Tosi of Anchorage shoots over a defender. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report

“Of course, I would definitely much rather be out there playing with the team but I’m controlling what I can and making the best out of the cards I’ve been dealt,” Tosi said. “Even with me being out, our team is really special.”

The Seawolves (8-2) won their first eight games for the best start in the program’s 46-year history and were ranked No. 23 for the team’s first appearance in the Division II Top 25 Poll since 2016 before stubbing their toe on the team’s first road trip of the season.

UAA is headed back on the road this weekend after a 15-day break and will travel to Honolulu for three games in three days.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Hoops in Hawaii Classic
Sunday
UAA vs. Texas-Tyler, 4:30pm
Monday
UAA vs. No. 9 San Bernardino, 4:30pm
Tuesday
UAA vs. Hawaii Pacific, 7pm
 
Big Island Holiday Classic
Sunday
UAF vs. Hawaii Hilo, 5pm
Monday
UAF vs. San Francisco, 5pm
 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

GNAC/CCAA Challenge
Sunday
UAA vs. Stanislaus State, 1pm
Monday
UAA vs. San Francisco State, 12pm
 
Bye Week
UAF

Tosi, a former all-state standout out of Bartlett High, is one of seven locals on the UAA team, joined by Jaron Williams (East), Luke Devine (Wasilla), Hasaan Herrington (East), Sloan Lentfer (Grance Christian), Parker Kroon (Wasilla) and Jaylin Scott (Ninilchik).

Tosi transferred to UAA this year after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at Bellevue Community College in the NWAC.

“Having Alaskan grown talent at the Alaska schools makes it much more meaningful for everyone involved,” Tosi said. “We’re not just playing for ourselves but rather playing for the whole state.”

The UAF men’s team features five locals in Tyriq Luke (West Valley), Terrell Peter (West Valley) and Demarcus Hall-Scriven (ACS), Josh Davis (ACS) and Cortarius Mingo (West Valley).

“It’s been interesting to see how the Alaska schools have been recruiting Alaska kids,” Tosi said. “I think that the Alaska schools are a little overlooked because many of the kids here just want a change of scenery. It’s easy to look elsewhere just because you want change. People just want to see what else the world has to offer. I think almost all the Alaska guys at the Alaska schools have left the state before coming back.”

UAF’s Demarcus Hall-Scriven of Anchorage catches a body. Photo by Miles Jordan/UAF Athletics

Tosi considered UAA coming out of high school in 2021, when as a senior he scored a Bartlett-record 45 points but went to JC instead. He stayed in touch with UAA assistant coach Ryan Orton, the team’s chief recruiter, and built a strong bond that paved the way for him to come home.

“He was honest with me from the jump, which I really appreciated, and we continued to talk throughout my two years at Bellevue,” Tosi said. “When the time came for me to make another decision the stars aligned and I’m happy they did.

“It’s so cool to have all the Alaska guys on the team. Especially for Hasaan, Ron and me. Having three guys from the east side playing at UAA is something I don’t think we’ve seen before.”

GNAC Men’s Basketball

UAA’s Tori Hollingshead looks to shoot over Adams State’s Angelline Nageak of Anchorage. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report

GNAC Women’s Basketball