Olsen Expects Role With Utes as Versatile Power Forward
Jeremy Olsen primarily plays center for his prep team at Collins Hill High School in suburban Atlanta.
But the 6-foot-10, 220-pound junior said coach Jim Boylen told him he expects Olsen to play more of a versatile power forward role when Olsen joins the Utes for the 2009-10 season.
"I'm a versatile four and I can play inside and out, just depending on what team we're playing, who's guarding me," Olsen said. "I can step out on the perimeter or take them inside. I can do both. ... I'll just do whatever will help my team win."
That suggests the Olsen will be more a potential replacement for forward Shaun Green, who will have finished his career by the time Olsen arrives, than center Luke Nevill. The Utes are bringing in 7-foot center Jason Washburn next season to back up Nevill in the Australian's final season, and expect to have 7-2 center David Foster returning from an LDS Church mission for the 2009-10 season.
Olsen said he was happy to have his hectic recruitment behind him already so he can concentrate on his senior year of high school next fall, and that he chose the Utes ahead of teams such as Xavier, Notre Dame, Alabama and Brigham Young because "they had everything I was looking for."
Not only did Olsen love the coaching staff, but he has many relatives -- two sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles -- still living in Salt Lake City. Olsen himself lived in Salt Lake until he was 7 years old, when his father changed jobs and moved to Georgia.
Olsen is a member of the LDS Church, but said he remains uncertain on whether he will serve a two-year mission (frankly, he sounded doubtful, but hesitant to admit it). In any case, he said he definitely plans to be with the Utes for his freshman season, and he's thrilled for the opportunity to join the Utes and have Boylen attempt to mold him into an NBA player.
"It just felt like it was the place for me," Olsen said.
But the 6-foot-10, 220-pound junior said coach Jim Boylen told him he expects Olsen to play more of a versatile power forward role when Olsen joins the Utes for the 2009-10 season.
"I'm a versatile four and I can play inside and out, just depending on what team we're playing, who's guarding me," Olsen said. "I can step out on the perimeter or take them inside. I can do both. ... I'll just do whatever will help my team win."
That suggests the Olsen will be more a potential replacement for forward Shaun Green, who will have finished his career by the time Olsen arrives, than center Luke Nevill. The Utes are bringing in 7-foot center Jason Washburn next season to back up Nevill in the Australian's final season, and expect to have 7-2 center David Foster returning from an LDS Church mission for the 2009-10 season.
Olsen said he was happy to have his hectic recruitment behind him already so he can concentrate on his senior year of high school next fall, and that he chose the Utes ahead of teams such as Xavier, Notre Dame, Alabama and Brigham Young because "they had everything I was looking for."
Not only did Olsen love the coaching staff, but he has many relatives -- two sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles -- still living in Salt Lake City. Olsen himself lived in Salt Lake until he was 7 years old, when his father changed jobs and moved to Georgia.
Olsen is a member of the LDS Church, but said he remains uncertain on whether he will serve a two-year mission (frankly, he sounded doubtful, but hesitant to admit it). In any case, he said he definitely plans to be with the Utes for his freshman season, and he's thrilled for the opportunity to join the Utes and have Boylen attempt to mold him into an NBA player.
"It just felt like it was the place for me," Olsen said.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 7:15 AM |
1 Comments:
Anybody know the status of the Olsen/Olson (Josh?) kid from Alta High School who played for the Utes one year at point guard before going on a mission? I thought he left the same time David Foster did? Is he going to be kept on scholarship? Thanks in advance for the replies!
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