Arizona basketball unveils statue of Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson

The University of Arizona unveiled a statue of Hall of Fame head coach Lute Olson on Thursday.

The details. 🏀 🏆 #BearDown pic.twitter.com/JM2Gg1CXpC

— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 13, 2018

Olson spoke Thursday with the statue’s unveiling.

“Means the world to us to be here,” he said. “It’s a huge honor for us to be recognized.”

Today was your day Coach Olson! Thank you for everything and #BearDown pic.twitter.com/GaBmOSV0eD

— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) April 13, 2018

The statue, located outside of McKale Center, and its reveal also coincides with and celebrates the 30-year history of the 1988 men’s basketball team, which Olson coached to the program’s first Final Four appearance.

Olson had a 589-187 record in his 24 seasons in Tucson. The statue shows Olson holding the 1997 National Championship, the lone national title for the program. Olson also had four Final Four appearances, 23 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and seven conference coach of the year awards.

He joined the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

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