Two Arizona Wildcats alumni have recently paid homage to legendary coach Lute Olson, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 85. Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, who themselves had the opportunity to play under Olson's tutelage, took to Twitter to heap praise on the fallen legend.

Jefferson expressed how he believes that Olson continues to be one of the most underrated individuals in the world of basketball:

Jefferson played under Olson for three seasons between 1998 and 2001. He joined the Wildacts a year after that historic Olson-led NCAA title — their one and only championship to date. The 6-foot-7 forward was a NCAA All-Tourney and All-Region team member, averaging 11.2 points 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

For his part, Frye credits the legendary Wildcats coach for being a key figure in his own career:

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Frye spent four successful years under Olson, with the 6-foot-11 big man putting up 15.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 blocks as a senior during the 2004-05 campaign. This led to an eighth overall selection for Frye in the 2005 NBA Draft, and as he mentioned above, the coach played a pivotal role in his successful basketball career.

Olson is one of the most revered coaches in NCAA history, having been with the Wildacts for 25 years. He also had a stint with the US national team, having coached the last amateur basketball team to a championship in international competition. Olson was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, six years prior to retiring from coaching in 2008.

Olson suffered a stroke in 2019, and was hospitalized. He was placed under hospice care early this year.