Olivia Olson (basketball)

For the American actress and singer-songwriter, see Olivia Olson.

Olivia Olson
Olson with the Michigan Wolverines in 2025
No. 1 – Michigan Wolverines
PositionGuard
LeagueBig Ten Conference
Personal information
Born (2005-11-02) November 2, 2005
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Career information
High schoolBenilde-St. Margaret's
(St. Louis Park, Minnesota)
CollegeMichigan (2024–present)
Career highlights
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship
2021 Mexico Team

Olivia Olson (born November 2, 2005) is an American college basketball player for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference. She was the Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2025, and an All-American in 2026.

In high school, Olson was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class, and represented the United States national team at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship and the Nike Hoop Summit. In 2023, she won Minnesota state championships as a senior goalkeeper in soccer and as a junior guard in basketball for Benilde-St. Margaret's. Olson won back-to-back state titles in basketball in 2024, earning Minnesota Miss Basketball, Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year and was a McDonald's All-American.

High school career

Olson has trained with her father Chris from a young age, practicing her ball-handling and other skills. She began playing varsity basketball in eighth grade.[1] As an eighth grader for Benilde-St. Margaret's, she tallied 40 points against a talented DeLaSalle High School team.[1] She also played varsity soccer as an eighth grader, returning as a senior goalkeeper.[2] By January 2021, as a freshman she had 17 athletic scholarship offers and was the No. 9 prospect in the national class of 2024.[1] She averaged 23 points as a freshman.[3] Late in her sophomore season, she was the No. 3 ranked prospect by ESPN in 2024 with over 40 college scholarship offers.[4] She averaged 22.8 points as a sophomore.[3]

On September 8, 2022, Olson gave a verbal commitment to Kim Barnes Arico and the Michigan Wolverines after the program reached its first two NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament Sweet Sixteen appearances in 2021 and 2022 and the 2021–22 Wolverines, posted the best season in school history.[5][6] National class of 2023 top-30 prospect, Taylor Woodson, from Minnesota had also committed to Michigan by September 2022.[7] Olson was the first top-40 player in the national class of 2024 to give a verbal commitment.[8] Olson led her school to a 2023 MSHSL Class 3A State Championship averaging 25.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.[3]

On November 8, 2023, she signed her national letter of intent (NLI) to play college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines.[9] In November, she was the goalkeeper for the MSHSL Class 2A state champion soccer team. Then, on November 25, 2023, she broke a bone in her left hand in the season opener and did not return to action until January 4, 2024, when she posted her 2000th career point.[3] Her father's Twitter explained that Olson's surgery required 2 plates and 12 screws.[10] Ranked at No. 15 in the national class of 2024, she was the second highest-ranked recruit in program history at the time of her signing (Syla Swords, No. 11).[11] The class of 2024 was the highest ranked class in school history (ranked No. 4 on signing day).[9]

At the MSHSL Class 3A State Championship tournament, Benilde-St. Margaret's won its three games by margins of 35, 31 and 23 to defend its championship.[12][13] In the championship game, Benilde-St. Margaret's (seeded first and ranked second) faced DeLaSalle High School (ranked first and seeded second). Olson had 30 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.[14][15]

She was named to the April 2, 2024 McDonald's All-American Girls Game at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Olson, along with incoming freshman Swords, are the program's first high school signees to earn the honor.[16][6] Olson and Liv McGill were the eighth and ninth Minnesotans named McDonald's All-Americans.[17][18] She has also been selected for the April 13 Nike Hoops Summit at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.[19] During her senior year she averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.6 steals through 28 games and was named Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year.[20] She was also awarded Minnesota Miss Basketball.[21] Although she was not a big scorer in the McDonald's All-American Game, MaxPreps writer Aaron Williams used the phrase "The highlight reel dish of the night" to describe her pass to her future Michigan teammate Swords.[22] The play received lots of public praise, with ESPN's color commentator mentioning it as possibly "the prettiest play we've seen all game".[23][24]

College career

Freshman

Olson enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2024. She began her collegiate career in the starting lineup, wearing the No. 1 jersey in a 68–62 loss to the No. 1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks on November 4, 2024.[25][26] At the 2024 Fort Myers Tip-Off, Olson earned All-Tournament honors as 7–1 Michigan stretched its win streak to 7 games.[27] Her performance in the tournament included her first NCAA career double-double with a 19-point/11-rebound effort in the first game against Belmont on November 29.[28] On December 9, Olson earned her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor for her 18-point effort against Northwestern the day before.[29][30] On January 29, 2025, Olson posted her a career-high 30 points along with 3 steals and 4 rebounds against Wisconsin.[31] By following this up with an 18-point/10-rebound double-double on February 2 against Oregon, she earned a second Big Ten Freshman of the week honor.[32] In the regular season of her freshman year, she averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.9 minutes per game.[33] Following the season she was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the coaches, along with Jaloni Cambridge.[34]

Sophomore

On February 12, 2026, she posted a 21-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist, and two-steal effort in an 80–58 win over Northwestern. On February 25, she followed it with a 23-point, eight-rebound, four-assist, two-steal and two-block effort in a 86–65 rivalry game win against No. 13 Michigan State. Olson earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors.[35][36][37] These games marked the 6th and 7th straight 20-point performances for Olson, who had scored in double figures in all 22 games up to that point, and it was the first Player of the week honor of her career.[38] On February 25, Olson posted a career-high 31 points, including the game-winning basket with 3.2 seconds remaining in overtime, as well as nine rebounds and four assists in an 88–86 rivalry game against Ohio State, helping Michigan set a school record for conference wins, 14.[39] On February 28, Olson closed out the regular season with 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 87–69 Senior day victory against Maryland, resulting in her second Big Ten Player of the week award on March 2.[40][41][42] During the regular season, Olson scored in double figures in all 29 games with sixteen 20-point games. She ranked fifth in the conference in scoring at 19.6 points per game, and was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection.[43][44]

Following the regular season, Olson was selected as a 2026 second-team All-American by ESPN and The Athletic.[45][46] She was also a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, The Sporting News and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).[47][48][49]

National team career

Olson represented the United States national team, winning a gold medal at the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship.[50] She was one of only three 15-year-olds selected for the team.[1]

Personal life

By her high school freshman season, she had about a dozen landscaping customers. Her father and brother, Morgan, kept her business running while she was training with and playing for Team USA in 2021.[1]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2024–25 Michigan 34 34 30.8 46.6 38.3 82.4 5.3 2.1 1.4 0.5 2.5 16.3
Career 34 34 30.8 46.6 38.3 82.4 5.3 2.1 1.4 0.5 2.5 16.3

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Youngblood, Keith (August 12, 2021). "Benilde-St. Margaret's Olivia Olson is all business in rise to basketball fame". StarTribune. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  2. ^ "Olivia Olson goes from the basketball court to soccer field". WCCO-TV. September 22, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Rippel, Joel (January 5, 2024). "Top senior in girls basketball splashes back onto the scene". AOL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Benilde-St. Margaret's Olivia Olson catching the eyes of college coaches". KSTP-TV. February 21, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Heilig, Brock (September 8, 2022). "Five-star point guard Olivia Olson commits to Michigan". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Meyer, Craig (January 23, 2024). "Michigan basketball commits Olivia Olson, Syla Swords picked for McDonald's All-American Game". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "Benilde-St. Margaret's junior Olivia Olson pumped to commit to Michigan basketball program". KSTP-TV. September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Bertels, Kevin (September 9, 2022). "Girls' basketball: Five issues raised by Olivia Olson's choosing Michigan". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Skiver, Kevin (November 8, 2023). "Michigan women's basketball signs five recruits to 2024 class, highest in program history". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Olson, Chris (November 29, 2023). "@ChrisOlson763 status update". Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ VanMetre, Sarah (November 8, 2023). "Wolverines Sign Five to National Letters of Intent". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "2024 State Class AAA Basketball, Girls Tournament". Minnesota State High School League. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "Benilde-St. Margaret's School". Minnesota State High School League. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  14. ^ Cook, Mike (March 16, 2024). "State girls basketball: Benilde-St. Margaret's pulls away from DeLaSalle to defend Class 3A crown". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Gunther, Joseph (March 17, 2024). "Benilde-St. Margaret's dominates 2nd half, repeats at 3A titlis". Star Tribune. ProQuest 2957848553. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  16. ^ VanMetre, Sarah (January 23, 2024). "Olson, Swords Named McDonald's All-Americans". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  17. ^ Nelson, Joe (January 23, 2024). "2 Minnesota girls basketball stars named McDonald's All-Americans". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  18. ^ Wald, Jeff (January 23, 2024). "Minnesotans Alivia McGill, Olivia Olson selected for McDonald's All-American Game". KMSP-TV. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ^ "USA Rosters and Coaching Staffs Announced for 2024 Nike Hoop Summit". USA Basketball. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Benilde-St. Margaret's Student-Athlete Named Gatorade Minnesota Girls Basketball Player of the Year" (PDF). Gatorade. March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  21. ^ Haggstrom, Ron (April 5, 2024). "Benilde-St. Margaret's Olivia Olson named Miss Basketball". Star Tribune. ProQuest 3033641679. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Williams, Aaron (April 2, 2024). "Joyce Edwards scores 19 to lead East to victory, five takeaways from McDonald's All American Game". MaxPreps. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  23. ^ "Michigan commits Olson, Swords link up with flashy no-look dime". ESPN. April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  24. ^ Kahn, Andrew (April 3, 2024). "Future Wolverines deliver play of the night in McDonald's All-American game". MLive.com. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "Michigan Wolverines 62: 68 South Carolina Gamecocks". ESPN. November 4, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  26. ^ "No. 1 South Carolina avoids major upset in 68-62 win over Michigan". ESPN. Associated Press. November 4, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "Wolverines Blitz Virginia Tech, Win Fort Myers Tip-Off". MGoBlue.com. November 30, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  28. ^ "Michigan 68, Belmont 58:". Detroit Free Press. November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  29. ^ "USC and Michigan Score Big Ten Weekly Women's Basketball Awards". Big Ten Conference. December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  30. ^ "Olson scores 18, Hobbs 16 and No. 23 Michigan women edge Northwestern 60-54". ESPN. Associated Press. December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  31. ^ Kahn, Andrew (January 29, 2025). "Michigan stumbles at lowly Wisconsin despite Olivia Olson's 30 points". MLive.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  32. ^ "Iowa, Illinois and Michigan Net Big Ten Weekly Women's Basketball Awards". Big Ten Conference. February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  33. ^ VanMetre, Sarah (March 4, 2025). "Olson Named B1G Freshman of the Year, U-M Quartet Honored". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  34. ^ "2024-25 Big Ten Women's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced". Big Ten Conference. March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  35. ^ "Olson and Swords help No. 7 Michigan rally past Northwestern for an 80-58 win". ESPN. Associated Press. February 12, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  36. ^ "Syla Swords scores 24, No. 7 Michigan beats No. 13 Michigan State 86-65 to sweep season series". ESPN. Associated Press. February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  37. ^ "Michigan and USC Secure Big Ten Weekly Women's Basketball Honors". Big Ten Conference. February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  38. ^ VanMetre, Sarah (February 16, 2026). "Awards and Honors: Olson Tabbed B1G Player of the Week". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  39. ^ "Olson's career-high 31 points propel No. 8 Michigan to 88-86 OT victory over No. 13 Ohio State". ESPN. Associated Press. February 25, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  40. ^ "Olivia Olson's 28 points help power No. 8 Michigan to an 87-69 win over No. 14 Maryland". ESPN. Associated Press. February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  41. ^ VanMetre, Sarah (February 28, 2026). "U-M Closes Out Regular Season with a Dominant Win Over No. 14 Maryland". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  42. ^ "Michigan and Indiana Score Big Ten Weekly Women's Basketball Honors". Big Ten Conference. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  43. ^ VanMetre, Sarah (March 3, 2026). "Olson, Swords Named to All-Big Ten First Team". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  44. ^ "2025-26 Big Ten Women's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced". Big Ten Conference. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  45. ^ "The Athletic's women's college basketball All-America team". The Athletic. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  46. ^ "Women's college basketball awards: Strong leads picks, All-Americans". ESPN.com. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  47. ^ "The Sporting News 2025-26 Women's College Basketball All-America Team". The Sporting News. March 16, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  48. ^ "Betts, Blakes and Strong headline 2025-26 USBWA Women's All-America Team". sportswriters.net. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  49. ^ "The Associated Press 2025-26 women's college basketball All-America teams". Associated Press. March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  50. ^ "Olivia Olson". USA Basketball. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
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