2008 UW Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee: Rick Olson
August 25, 2008 | General News
Nine individuals will be inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Aug. 29. The festivities outside the Shell (adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium) start at 5:30 p.m. UWBadgers.com is counting down to the big evening by featuring one inductee per day leading up to the 29th. Today we look at the career of Rick Olson, men's basketball standout.
- Ranks 5th on all-time scoring list with 1,736 points
- 3rd on career minutes played list (3,962) and 3rd in games started; tied with Michael Finley with 112 (started every game in his four year career)
- UW's career leader in free throw percentage (.870)
- 1984 named Sports Illustrated 'player of the week' with 39 points (defeated Michigan) and 29 points (defeated Michigan State) in consecutive games
- 1984 named to all-tournament teams at New Mexico and Arizona in last two seasons (scored 47 points in Fiesta Bowl tournament)
- 1984 led Big Ten in free throws with .923 (48-52); 1986 2nd with .885 (69-78)
- 1984 3rd all-time in total points in a single game (39) vs. Michigan
- 2nd and 3rd on all-time season free throw percentage list (.894 in 1984 and .890 in 1985)
- 1985 set then-Big Ten record for consecutive free throws made (36)
- 1985 currently tied for 1st for most field goals (17) vs. San Francisco State (12/2)
- 1985 honorable mention All-Big Ten
- 1986 team captain
- 1986 team mvp
- 1986 third-team All-Big Ten
- 1986 selected in seventh round (158th overall) of NBA Draft by Houston
- 1986 one of four Big Ten players to average over 20 point per game
- 1986 named UPI 'player of the week' for his 61-point effort in games against Purdue (30) and Illinois (31)
- 1986 led the team in scoring with 571 points, a 20.4 average, as well as minutes played, free throw percentage and steals
- 1986 tied for 2nd all-time in season field goals (237)
- 1986 currently tied for 1st for best free throw percentage in a single game 1.000 (14-14) vs. Purdue (2/13)
- Career stats: 112 games, 729 fg, 1535 fga for .475 pct, 260 ft, 299 fta for .869 pct, 204 rebounds (1.4avg), 259 assists, 254 personal fouls, 1736 points for a 15.5avg.
- 2000 Madison Sports Hall of Fame inductee
- 2006 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee
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