Court to campus athletics

Evan Smith is a former Salmon Arm Secondary Graduate and Golds Basketball player who is currently playing in his fourth year for the Thompson Rivers University, Wolfpack Men’s Basketball Team in Kamloops, BC. In high school, Evan was fortunate enough to play on an excellent and very successful high school basketball team. His senior Golds’ Team won 27 games and lost 7 in his grade twelve year, and finished his final season with a five point loss to the eventual second place AAAA team in the province, the Kelowna Owls. Upon graduating from high school in 2019, Evan attended the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus in Camrose, Alberta where he enrolled in the business administration program and began his first year of post-secondary basketball for the Augustana Vikings in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). After one year at Augustana, Evan transferred to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, and enrolled in the Bob Gaglardi School of Business, where he continues to pursue his undergrad in business administration, while playing for the Wolfpack Men’s Basketball Team. While completing his fifth year of schooling and fourth year of Usport eligibility, Evan has grown exponentially as a person, student, and athlete, which has allowed him to reflect on his journey to university athletics. After attending his first TRU Summer Basketball Camp and being coached by former Wolfpack Head Coach, Scott Clark and his players, Evan had the dream of playing the sport he loves at the university level. This led to many opportunities to compete for regional teams in the Okanagan and Thompson regions such as the Regional Training Center (RTC) in Kamloops, run by the TRU Men’s Basketball Team. Evan also competed on the U14 BC Summer games team, the UBCO Junior Heat team in Kelowna, as well as his hometown club team, Salmon Arm Synergy. As an athlete, Evan has always been grateful for the opportunity to work with and be coached by players who played on both the TRU Men’s WolfPack and the UBCO Men’s Heat Teams. One thing he has learned from himself as an U-Sport Athlete, is his passion to work with, coach, and train young athletes. Evan’s goal is to help young athletes in achieving their athletic goals, but more importantly, share his experiences and help them grow as people. “As I train in the off-season, it’s always rewarding to share my knowledge and understanding about the game of basketball with younger players who might have the same dreams that I did when I was their age.”

Adam Olsen is currently a starting 6’8 guard for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. As a true 18 year old freshman he averaged double figures along with helping his team win many big games throughout his rookie campaign. Aside from basketball, academics is a main focus for Adam. Over the last few years Adam has had hundreds of hours coaching and training the youth, even starting his own training company which was later bought from him due to its success. His goal is to give kids opportunities to improve skills, but also open a window of opportunity to kids that, because of where they live, may not be available to them. At his young age he has had basketball experiences that will last him a lifetime. Meeting incredible individuals across the Continent from places like Niagara Falls, Alaska and Costa Rica. He has also had the pleasure of representing BC on the U18 Summer games team coming second to Team Ontario, where he started as only a 16 year old. During his highschool career he was heavily recruited receiving offers and major interest from numerous Division I, II and prestigious Usports institutions. Adams' recruitment journey is fresh and will provide not only inspiration for the kids he will be coaching but also provide insight to the complicated recruitment and university basketball world. This sport has opened up doors to many paths he never knew were possible, including job opportunities and free schooling. Adam wants to help as many kids as possible to achieve the same or even higher levels of success on and off the court.

Thomas Olsen is the third year starting power forward for the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack men's varsity basketball team. He is a 3 time Academic all Canadian and was the top academic performer in the TRU athletic department in the 2022/23 academic year while pursuing his honours in Chemical biology. Thomas has extensive experience in coaching having coached at several high level basketball and volleyball development camps in the lower mainland and okanagan area. He also coached the grade 9 boys basketball team at Elgin Park Secondary School as well as joining the coaching staff for the junior volleyball team on their provincial championship campaign in 2022. He has significant experience working with youths through his work experience at the South Surrey Recreation and Arts Center and significant time spent coaching in local development camps and youth leagues. He also possesses his class C first aid certification and has substantial experience working with and developing neurodivergent athletes. Thomas' road to Usports was not easy. Having lost his senior season to the Covid-19 pandemic and half of his grade 11 season to an ankle injury, recruitment and the idea of post secondary basketball seemed impossible. But through hard work and many lessons leanred, Thomas was able to find a long term home with the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack. The Challenges he faced on his journey have made him commited to sharing all of the lessons he's learned to hopefully help any athlete who comes through our program develop their game and acheive their dreams.