The Kimball Union Academy boys’ basketball program is a member of the highly competitive NEPSAC AA conference which has representation throughout New England. In addition to KUA’s NEPSAC AA competition, we schedule with some of the region’s top programs in NEPSAC AAA, A, and B. The program has historically achieved strong seasons that have garnered post-season tournament invites while seeing many of its student athletes land collegiate playing opportunities after graduating from The Hilltop. Many former Wildcat student athletes have played and continue to compete at top DI, DII, and DIII institutions. Recent graduates have moved on to programs such as NC State, William & Marry, Utah State, Towson State, Niagara, Dartmouth, Quinnipiac, Adelphi, Bentley, Lemoyne, Connecticut College, Ithaca, Pomona Pitzer, RIT, WPI, Kenyon, and Dickinson. Some former Wildcats have enjoyed professional careers with Nathan Knight ’16 the most notable, as a he heads into his third season in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise.
Mike Olson currently serves as Assistant Director of College Advising and Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Kimball Union Academy.
Olson has guided the Wildcats to seven consecutive winning seasons along with five post-season appearances. The 2013-14 season was a banner year for KUA as they produced an overall 21-7 mark and advanced to the NEPSAC championship game.
In 2014 Olson coached the Under 18 US Select to a silver medal in the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, Mannheim, Germany. Along the way the team defeated number one ranked FIBA team Spain.
Prior to joining the prep school ranks Olson spent twenty years coaching at the collegiate level—with stops at Dartmouth College, Minnesota State Moorhead, Black Hills State, and Mount Senario College. Olson lead BHSU to four NAIA national tournaments and he was elected to their Hall of Fame in 2011. A noted teacher of basketball fundamentals, Olson has developed an international presence while conducting camps and clinics in Scotland, England, Iceland, Sweden, Australia, and Greece.
Olson, a Tomahawk, WI native, received his bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College (1981) and a master’s degree in education from Norwich University (1982). He also holds an advanced study certificate in educational leadership from Upper Valley Educator’s Institute, Lebanon, NH.
MacDuffie fought back in the second half finishing on a 15-8 run, scoring the last 5 points to win 58-56 in Meriden today. The Wildcats built a 5 point lead at the half, 26-21, in a defensive battle but could not withstand 17 second half points from MacDuffie's Dana Tate. KUA's Spencer Cline finished with a team high 16 points followed by Eze Dike with 14. The Wildcats finish up with a record of 11-17 for the season. KUA scoring: Dike- 13, Noordsij- 7, Huntley- 9, Lack- 5, Engelhardt- 3, Cline- 16, Rdja- 5
KUA turns the table on Gould beating them in thier remtch, 71-52
Getting his first start of the season Kamal Aubakirov made the most of it hitting three threes in the first half and recording three steals in the second to help spark the KUA Wildcats to a 71-52 win today in Meriden. Sencer CLine had a game high 17 points for the night. Trent Noordsij added 13 points to go along with twelve rebounds as KUA turned a five point lead midway into the second half into a double digit win at the end. KUA finishing out their season tomorrow at home vs MacDuffie at 4pm.
Vermont Academy came to Meriden today establishing a 24 point first half lead to then cruise to a victory 86-64. Duje Radja and Eze Dike lead KUA scorers with 18 pts each, followed by Spencer Cline with 15. KUA finishes out their season with two home games this weekend vs Gould on Friday and MacDuffie on Saturday. KUA scoring: Dike- 18, Noordsij- 9, Huntley- 2, Aubakirov- 2, Cline- 15, Radja- 18