OK, that number's an approximation, but this was a fact: Never before in his 4-year varsity basketball career at Esperanza Academy Charter had Bousono been able to relax as a game wound down.

The Toros were comfortably ahead and mostly subs were on the floor. Bousono watched and loved it, cheering as hard as he'd played.

"Oh, that was great!" he gushed yesterday, after Esperanza completed an 85-56, nonleague win over Mastery Charter North at McVeigh Recreation Center, D and Ontario. "To see the guys running around, having fun, knowing that we had an easy win . . . See their smiles? Looked like Kool-Aid smiles. That was awesome."

So is Bousono.

At 5-4 (maybe) and 135 pounds, he's easily the shortest and lightest player to notch 1,000 career points in this city's glorious scholastic history.

He reached the milestone last Thursday in a loss to Imhotep Charter and his total now stands at 1,034, counting the 29 he racked up yesterday in whirlwind fashion in a wonderfully balanced performance (also nine assists, six steals and even five rebounds).

Most guys Bousono's size can be found in fifth grade. Watch him just once and you'll find yourself putting him atop your favorite-players list.

"I don't think he realizes how special he is," coach Terrance Hudson said. "To be that small and score 1,000 career points . . . He's fearless. Has the heart of a lion."

When Bousono tried out for varsity three seasons ago, he stood 4-10. Maybe 4-9. (As did fellow frosh Zakee Moody, who's still his backcourt partner. Yesterday, as the two stood side by side, Bousono looked to be a millimeter taller. "That's because his sneakers have bigger soles," Moody cracked.) Rather than chase him away, Hudson embraced him.

"He reminded me of myself," Hudson said. "When I went out for the team at Overbrook, I was the shortest guy. You see could see that Andy could play. And that he had a superior basketball IQ. He understands how the game is supposed to be played.

"Even though he's short, everybody looks up to him."

You name the short-person joke, Bousono has heard it. He ignores them all, though, and takes pride in the fact that "at the end of the game, people always give me respect.

"I know most people would think it's impossible to do what I do at this size. If they could see the work I put in, they'd understand. I try so hard at this.

"My parents [Frank, Madeline] are short. My whole family is. I knew I was never going to reach even 6-foot. I just knew I wanted to play and that I'd give my best. I always say, 'Keep stickin' with what you love.' When I hear people doubting me, it adds fuel to my fire.

"My teammates show me a lot of love. They always say I'm not the biggest guy, but that I have the biggest heart."

A snappy dribbler, Bousono routinely darted between two defenders to convert dipsy-doodle layups or hit Elias Martinez (18 points), Samuel Rodriguez (12) and David Martinez (10) for easy buckets or two-shot fouls. Also, he sniped 4-for-8 on treyballs.

"Opposing coaches always say that - 'If we don't get someone out on him, he just keeps hitting them,' " Hudson said.

Bousono now lives near Frankford and Academy, in the Far Northeast, but grew up in Lawndale. He didn't start playing basketball until age 9 - geez, imagine how tiny he was then - and somehow, he just knew he'd experience success.

At Esperanza, that hasn't meant wins. The always undersized Toros are 15-48 in his career.

"After the losses, Andy is always down," his father said. "At least now I can bring up the 1,000-point thing. Try to cheer him up. I tell him, 'You've scored 1,000 points. At your size. Think about the magnitude of that.' He just says, 'I'd trade 'em all in to be on a winning team.' "

Andy said exactly that yesterday. Word for word. He then added, evenly, "I like wins more than points."

Hudson said college interest has come from a pair of junior colleges, Manor, in Jenkintown, and Mercer County, in New Jersey. Bousono is thinking about a career in journalism.

"I'm happy about what I've done here at Esperanza, but I'm not satisfied," he said. "It's not over yet. I'm hoping basketball can be my gateway to college, so I can better my future.

"I feel I can improve a lot more. I want to strengthen every part of my game. Being this height, I feel have to be perfect." *