Meet the Freshmen: Pepperdine’s Shawn Olden

The departure of Malcolm Brooks, the outstanding shooter for Pepperdine who transferred to Cal State Fullerton, leaves a major hole in the Waves backcourt.  One of the players who will try to help replace Brooks’ production is incoming freshman Shawn Olden, a 6-foot-3, left-handed combo guard out of Union City High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Time at Union City High School

Olden came off the bench as a sophomore during the 2011-12 season as Union won the state championship that year.  During his junior season, he became a starter and averaged 13 points per game on the way to earning all-conference honors.  

As a senior Olden averaged 18.9 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals per game en route to earning the Frontier Conference Player of the Year honors and the MVP of Oklahoma’s Class 6A state tournament after leading Union City to a state title, where he had 20 points and nine rebounds in the championship game against Putnam City West.  

In high school, Olden showed a silky smooth, high arching 3 point shot, along with the ability to run out in transition and find open teammates, using his quickness and athleticism to achieve success on the fast break.

Impact at Pepperdine

Olden will likely come off the bench as a freshman behind Jeremy Major, Amadi Udenyi, and either Lamond Murray Jr., Atif  Russell, or Oregon transfer A.J. Lapray.  Right now, he would likely have the best shot at seeing quality minutes backing up Udenyi at shooting guard.

He has the potential to be instant offense off the bench as Pepperdine does not have too much proven scoring in the backcourt returning from last season.  While he may not get too many minutes right away, Olden should be an important part of Pepperdine’s future in the years to come.