Featured Point Guard
Andrew Olson - Amherst College
When Amherst College senior point guard Andrew Olson (San Diego, CA) graduates this spring, he will undoubtedly go down as one of the best players in the men’s basketball program’s history. After leading the Lord Jeffs to a national championship last season, Olson has Amherst back in the national spotlight with a 22-2 regular season record, a perfect 9-0 conference mark, and the top-ranking in the D3Hoops.com poll.
The Lord Jeffs have five seniors on the team who all play significant minutes and contribute to the team’s success on both ends of the floor, but none may be as valuable to the program’s recent run as Olson. Similar to the quarterback of a football team, Olson leads the Lord Jeff attack, and initiates one of the most potent offenses in the country.
Last season, Olson was named First Team All-NESCAC, and the conference Player of the Year, en route to the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championship in Salem, VA. Olson was also named to the NABC’s All-Region and All-American First Teams, and shared the National Player of the Year award with Guilford’s Ben Strong. D3Hoops.com tabbed Olson for their All-America First Team as well.
This year, Olson will be in the running for the prestigious Josten’s Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top Division III senior basketball player in the nation. Additionally, he is making his second straight appearance on the final ballot for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Bob Cousy Award.
The Cousy Award is given annually to the best point guard in college basketball, across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. The field of finalists is dominated by Division I players, most of whom will end up playing in the NBA after graduation. For both Amherst’s Olson, and Grinnell College’s David Arsenault, the only Division III players on the ballot, making the field is an honor in itself.
“It is an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as both the other finalists and past winners,” explains Olson. “I am lucky to be on such a great team, because as a point guard, you are only as good as the players around you.”
Olson has already set virtually every assist record at Amherst, including the high marks for helpers in a game (15), season (243) and career (701, and counting). He is currently eighth on the all-time NCAA Division III career list, and could finish as high as sixth. Earlier this season, Olson scored his 1,000th career point, and is only the second player in NESCAC history to join the 1,000-700 club.
During his career, Amherst has had an amazing 106-10 overall record, and a 34-2 conference record. In games played at LeFrak Gymnasium, Olson and the Lord Jeffs have laid down an eye-popping 62-3 record heading into this weekend, when they will once again host NESCAC Tournament play.
Andrew Olson - Amherst College
When Amherst College senior point guard Andrew Olson (San Diego, CA) graduates this spring, he will undoubtedly go down as one of the best players in the men’s basketball program’s history. After leading the Lord Jeffs to a national championship last season, Olson has Amherst back in the national spotlight with a 22-2 regular season record, a perfect 9-0 conference mark, and the top-ranking in the D3Hoops.com poll.
The Lord Jeffs have five seniors on the team who all play significant minutes and contribute to the team’s success on both ends of the floor, but none may be as valuable to the program’s recent run as Olson. Similar to the quarterback of a football team, Olson leads the Lord Jeff attack, and initiates one of the most potent offenses in the country.
Last season, Olson was named First Team All-NESCAC, and the conference Player of the Year, en route to the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championship in Salem, VA. Olson was also named to the NABC’s All-Region and All-American First Teams, and shared the National Player of the Year award with Guilford’s Ben Strong. D3Hoops.com tabbed Olson for their All-America First Team as well.
This year, Olson will be in the running for the prestigious Josten’s Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top Division III senior basketball player in the nation. Additionally, he is making his second straight appearance on the final ballot for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Bob Cousy Award.
The Cousy Award is given annually to the best point guard in college basketball, across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. The field of finalists is dominated by Division I players, most of whom will end up playing in the NBA after graduation. For both Amherst’s Olson, and Grinnell College’s David Arsenault, the only Division III players on the ballot, making the field is an honor in itself.
“It is an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as both the other finalists and past winners,” explains Olson. “I am lucky to be on such a great team, because as a point guard, you are only as good as the players around you.”
Olson has already set virtually every assist record at Amherst, including the high marks for helpers in a game (15), season (243) and career (701, and counting). He is currently eighth on the all-time NCAA Division III career list, and could finish as high as sixth. Earlier this season, Olson scored his 1,000th career point, and is only the second player in NESCAC history to join the 1,000-700 club.
During his career, Amherst has had an amazing 106-10 overall record, and a 34-2 conference record. In games played at LeFrak Gymnasium, Olson and the Lord Jeffs have laid down an eye-popping 62-3 record heading into this weekend, when they will once again host NESCAC Tournament play.
