Auburn Adds Elite Shooter Adam Olsen to 2026-27 Basketball Roster
Auburn men’s basketball has officially added another major piece to its 2026-27 roster, as head coach Steven Pearl announced the signing of standout forward Adam Olsen, a 6-foot-8 sharpshooter from South Alabama.
Olsen joins the Tigers after a breakout junior campaign in which he emerged as one of the most dangerous perimeter shooters in college basketball. His arrival gives Auburn another proven scoring threat as the program continues assembling what looks to be a highly talented roster for the upcoming season.
Last season at South Alabama, Olsen started 32 games and delivered one of the best shooting performances in school history. He knocked down a program-record 102 three-pointers while connecting on 39.1 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. His scoring ability helped him average 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, numbers that earned him Second Team All-Sun Belt honors.
Pearl praised Olsen’s elite shooting touch and believes his offensive game will fit seamlessly into Auburn’s system.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Adam Olsen to our program,” Pearl said. “Adam has what I’d call a superpower—he’s one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball. If he gets a clean look, he can make it. At 6-foot-8 with a quick, high release, he has the ability to get his shot off over defenders consistently, and we believe our offense will help maximize his strengths even further.”
Olsen’s scoring consistency was one of the most impressive parts of his 2025-26 season. He reached double figures in 24 games and led the Sun Belt Conference with 15 performances of 20 or more points. His top outing came in a game against ULM, where he erupted for a career-high 29 points.
The Canadian native from Surrey, British Columbia, has steadily developed into one of the most versatile offensive forwards in the transfer market. Before his stint at South Alabama, Olsen spent the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons at the University of British Columbia, where he continued refining his game.
During the 2024-25 campaign at UBC, Olsen averaged 15.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the field, showcasing the all-around scoring package that would later translate to Division I competition.
Although Olsen missed South Alabama’s NIT matchup against Auburn on March 17—the only game he sat out all season—the Tigers clearly saw enough throughout the year to prioritize him in the transfer portal.
Pearl emphasized that Olsen offers far more than just outside shooting.
“Adam is not simply a spot-up shooter,” Pearl said. “He’s a true three-level scorer who can hit mid-range shots, put the ball on the floor, and attack the basket with physicality. He uses his frame well, finishes through contact, and can create matchup problems because of his versatility.”
That positional flexibility may be one of Olsen’s most valuable traits. At 6-foot-8, he has the size to play multiple frontcourt and wing roles while stretching defenses with his perimeter shooting. His ability to score from all three levels should make him a difficult matchup for opposing teams and an ideal fit in Auburn’s modern offensive scheme.
With Olsen now in the fold, Auburn continues building impressive momentum for the 2026-27 season. His elite shooting, scoring versatility, and veteran experience give the Tigers another proven weapon as Pearl works to position the program for another championship-caliber campaign.
If Olsen’s production carries over to the SEC, Auburn may have landed one of the most impactful transfer additions in the country.
Leave a Reply