Associated Press Coaches Lute Olson and Larry Brown head for the interview area at the conclusion of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame luncheon June 5 in Los Angeles. The Hallâs Class of 2002 includes Earvin ăMagicä Johnson, the Harlem Globetrotters, Brown, Olson, Kay Yow and the late Drazen Petrovic.

The third time was the charm for Lute Olson last Wednesday, who, along with six other candidates, was elected into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame during a luncheon in Los Angeles.

Olson was selected from a group of 24 finalists, the largest field in history.

ăI felt fortunate to just be nominated, and I feel that much more fortunate to be selected,ä Olson said. ăI think it ranks right up there with the NCAA Championship and the 1986 World Championship. This is definitely one of the special things that has happened in my career.ä

Olson kept the news of being elected from his family and staff for over a day.

ăI got the call Monday morning and (the Hall of Fame) said the class wonât be announced until Wednesday,ä Olson said. ăI didnât even let my family know until later Tuesday afternoon, so they wonât have to live with it too long.

ăOn the staff, the only one I talked with was (associate head coach Jim Rosborough) on Tuesday before I flew out to L.A., but I didnât tell anyone else. Iâm sure they figured it out when they knew I was supposed to be in last week and all of the sudden Iâm off to L.A.ä

For the last 32 years, Olson has served as a head coach at the collegiate level, compiling a 767-255 overall record at four different schools.

The Mayville, N.D., native has been to the Final Four five times (four with UA and once with Iowa) and won the National Championship in 1997 against Kentucky.

The one statistic that stands out is the 44 NBA Draft picks Olson has coached, 25 at Arizona. Olson said itâs his ability to get his players in the pros that allows him to maintain an elite program.

ăThe biggest thing in recruiting is the program that we have here at Arizona,ä he said. ăWhen it gets down to the recruiting it seems like more attention is drawn to the fact that we have had so many guys in the NBA. I think that has helped out recruiting more than this honor that I have. (However) it wonât hurt it either.ä

Olson became the head coach at Arizona in 1983 and in his 19-year span as the head coach he has led UA to 15 consecutive 20-win seasons.

During that span Arizona has the best winning percentage in the nation (401-97, .805).

The six-time Pacific 10 Conference Coach of the Year will be officially inducted into the Hallâs new $103 million facility in Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 27.

Along with Olson, former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Earvin ăMagicä Johnson, current Philadelphia 76er head coach Larry Brown, North Carolina State mentor Kay Yow along with the Harlem Globetrotters comprise the 2002 class.

Former Croatian and NBA star Drazen Petrovic will be inducted posthumously.