Auburn Lands South Alabama Transfer Adam Olsen for 2025-26 Season

Auburn University’s men’s basketball program has secured another key transfer addition, signing former South Alabama forward Adam Olsen for the 2026-27 season. Olsen becomes the fourth incoming transfer for the Tigers, reinforcing head coach Steven Pearl’s efforts to build a competitive roster through the transfer portal.

Olsen’s Statistical Impact at South Alabama

During the 2025-26 season, Olsen established himself as one of the Sun Belt Conference’s most consistent offensive threats. The 6-foot-8 forward started all 32 games for South Alabama, averaging 16.7 points, and 4.0 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency stood out, with a 39.1% three-point shooting percentage on 261 attempts, resulting in 102 made triples—a new single-season program record for South Alabama.

Olsen’s ability to stretch the floor was particularly notable. He led the Sun Belt Conference in three-pointers made per game (3.3) and three-point shooting percentage (39.5%). His offensive production included 15 games with 20 or more points, including a season-high 29 points in an 89-54 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on February 25, 2026.

Program Fit and Auburn’s Roster Reconstruction

Olsen’s arrival addresses a key need for Auburn, which has focused on rebuilding its frontcourt after losing several players to the transfer portal. The Tigers have added multiple transfers in recent weeks, including Troy forward Thomas Dowd, Creighton center Owen Freeman, and Santa Clara’s Bukky Oboye. The program also previously signed French center Narcisse Ngoy.

Coach Steven Pearl emphasized the importance of creating spacing and offensive balance, areas where Olsen’s skill set aligns well with Auburn’s system. His ability to shoot from the perimeter should complement the Tigers’ interior size and lob threats, potentially creating mismatches for opposing defenses.

Olsen’s decision to join Auburn followed a campus visit where he expressed enthusiasm about the program’s environment. In comments to AuburnSports, he stated, The visit was great. Campus student life seems top notch, probably got to be the best in the SEC for sure. He also highlighted the program’s culture, noting, The facilities are great, just good people. Good people here, religious people—that’s a big thing for me.

Background and Previous Collegiate Experience

Olsen’s collegiate career began at the University of British Columbia, where he played before transferring to South Alabama. In his final season at UBC (2024-25), he averaged 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range.

His single season of eligibility remaining makes him a valuable addition for Auburn, which has been active in the transfer portal to address roster turnover. The Tigers lost key player Sebastian Williams-Adams to Vanderbilt after he initially announced plans to return, creating an opening that Olsen and other transfers are expected to fill.

Team Performance Context

Olsen’s transfer comes after a successful 2025-26 season with South Alabama, where the Jaguars finished with a 21-12 record and earned an NIT appearance. While Olsen did not play in South Alabama’s first-round NIT game against Auburn—a 78-67 loss for the Jaguars—his regular-season performance demonstrated his ability to contribute at a high level in a competitive conference.

The addition of Olsen and other transfers reflects Auburn’s strategic approach to roster construction. With multiple experienced players joining the program, the Tigers appear positioned to compete in the Southeastern Conference during the 2026-27 season.