Grant Olsen, Men's Basketball

For sophomore guard Grant Olsen, basketball has never just been a game. It has been a way of life.

Growing up in Hermiston, Oregon, Olsen was introduced to the sport almost as soon as he could walk. His dad, a former college player who competed at Wenatchee Valley College before finishing at Whitworth, made the gym feel like a second home.

“I was always in the gym with him,” Olsen said. “Whether he was coaching or just playing with his friends, I grew up around it.”

By second or third grade, his father was already coaching him, guiding him through the fundamentals and instilling a deep understanding of the game. From tournaments to long car rides and late nights in the gym, the hours added up and so did the lessons.

“He’s taught me everything I know,” Olsen said. “Just the amount of time we’ve spent together with basketball. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

That foundation carried Olsen into one of the most successful seasons of his career last year. The Sasquatch finished 24-7, placed second in the league, and made a strong postseason push all the way to the Elite 8 in the NWAC Championship tournament.

“That was probably the most successful season I’ve ever been part of,” he said. “It was the most fun I’ve had during a basketball season.”

This year, the goals remain high. Make the NWAC tournament and make another run. For Olsen, it comes down to one simple philosophy the team lives by.

“After a win, we say, ‘Chase this feeling,’” he explained. “Remember how it feels and chase it. And after a loss, remember that feeling too because we don’t want to feel that again.”

That mindset fuels him through long practices and tough stretches of the season.

As a student-athlete pursuing his AA degree, Olsen has developed a disciplined routine to balance academics and athletics. His days start with breakfast and homework before heading to practice early for lifts, film, and workouts. Evenings are reserved for more schoolwork and recovery.

That structure has shaped him beyond the court.

“Being a student-athlete teaches you hard work and discipline,” Olsen said. “It helps you focus on multiple things at once.”

Looking ahead, Olsen plans to continue his basketball career at a four-year school. While he would prefer to stay in the Pacific Northwest, he is open to wherever the right fit presents itself. For now, his focus is locked in on finishing the season strong.

Off the court, Olsen keeps things simple. His pregame routine includes a Jimmy John’s sandwich, a mandatory nap, and a rotation of lucky shirts he wears under his jersey. Small rituals that keep him steady before tipoff.

When asked what advice he would give younger athletes, his answer is straightforward.

“Work hard and be consistent.”

For Grant Olsen, success is about discipline, consistency, and chasing the feeling one game at a time.