At 29 years old, Pol Olivier Canadell is making his mark as a point guard for the Fyllingen Lions and as a mentor in the Bergen basketball community. Born in Tarragona, Spain, Olivier’s journey to Norway has been defined by hard work and a love for the game that began at age six when he picked up a basketball for the first time.

From Spain to Norway

Growing up in a sports-loving family, Olivier explored various activities, but basketball stood out. His talent and dedication earned him a spot at the Canarias Basketball Academy and later a scholarship to Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho. There, he excelled academically and athletically, graduating cum laude with a degree in Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sports Management, while earning multiple GNAC All-Academic honors.

Olivier went on to compete in Spain’s top leagues, including LEB Oro, LEB Plata, and EBA, where he led the 2017/18 season in three-point shooting percentage (51.8%) and won the 2022/23 EBA Championship.

Making His Mark

Since joining the Fyllingen Lions, Olivier has added his team spirit even after experiencing an injury early on in the season. He used his downtime to support his team and contribute in other significant ways. In addition to helping the Lions push for BLNO league success, he mentors young athletes through initiatives like BasketAkademiet and coaching youth teams such as the Ytrebygda Lionesses U9J and Fyllingen Lions U19.

“Basketball is a way to teach life lessons,” says Olivier, whose mentorship emphasizes teamwork and respect.

Looking Ahead

With ambitions to help the Lions achieve championship success and dreams of a future in sports management, Olivier is driven to make a difference!