Olympia has had a great season so far, going undefeated in league play at 13-0. However, they were tested by Bellarmine Tuesday night and it was Carlson who came up big with a game-tying 3 with just 8.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter. They finished it out in overtime and Carlson was a big factor throughout the contest, getting a number of tough shots to go inside and taking drives straight through the defense. He’s one of two seniors on a younger team and really stepped up in the crucial postseason game.

He and teammate Matt Lindblom Matt Lindblom 6'2" | PG Olympia | 2025 State WA have been playing well for Olympia. Carlson is a good athlete who is not required to be the man with Parker Gerrits Parker Gerrits 6'1" | PG Olympia | 2023 State WA and Mason Jeurgens running the show. He does contribute in big ways. He is a skilled player who combines his natural athleticism with good shooting and defense. He will make open shots and has a high-ceiling shot. He finishes well on the break or within the offense. He shows flashes and could take off next season as one of the primary scoring options. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and has been a solid player for a good Olympia team with big postseason hopes. He can get it done this year but might thrive next season.

Carlson really mirrors a lot of what Gerrits is able to do and is a guy I think will be essential as a secondary scorer on the perimeter, and an unheralded playmaker. He plays with poise, sees the court well, and has a sweet stroke from mid-range and beyond the arc.  He could take a big step up this season and force defenses to key on both him and Gerrits in the backcourt.

I love Carlson as a breakout player this season. He was featured predominantly in an off-ball, secondary scoring role last season, but also spelled Parker Gerrits Parker Gerrits 6'1" | PG Olympia | 2023 State WA at the point from time to time. He’s not as big a name as some teammates like Gerrits and Andreas Engholm Andreas Engholm 6'8" | PF Olympia | 2023 State WA , but with Caden Roth no longer on the team Carlson should get more touches and a chance to become a name to know in 4A.

He provides Olympia with yet another weapon. He played a key role last year as a sophomore. A good athlete who fits perfectly in their wide open system of sharing the ball. He’s got all the tools to be a great player. That should translate into him being a good role player once again next season, and one of the top players for Olympia in 2024.