April 5, 2019

THE 2019 AWARD

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Ja Morant of Murray State is the 2018-19 recipient of the Lute Olson Award, given annually to the nation’s top Division I player.

Morant had a sensational sophomore season at Murray, becoming the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game. He led the Racers to a 28-5 record, their second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and a convincing first-round victory over Marquette, setting a tournament record with 16 assists.

In just two seasons at Murray, the 6-3 point guard scored more than 1,200 points and handed out more than 500 assists. He also played 197 of 200 minutes in the final five games of the season. For the season, Morant shot 50 percent from the field, 36 percent on 3-pointers and 81 percent on free throws.

The award is named in honor of Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, who won 776 games in 34 seasons, 24 of which were spent at the University of Arizona. During that stretch he led the Wildcats to 11 Pac-10 Conference titles, 23 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, four Final Four appearances and a National Championship in 1997.

Olson is one of just 25 head coaches in NCAA history to win 700 or more games (all divisions) and ranks ninth on the Division I career victories list. He finished with a winning percentage of .731 and is the all-time winningest coach in Arizona history with 587-190 record (.755). He was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year seven times. Olson also guided Arizona to 20 consecutive 20-win seasons, and is one of only three coaches in NCAA history to record 29 or more 20-win seasons.


2019 LUTE OLSON AWARD ALL-AMERICA TEAM