Phil Tollestrup
Phil Tollestrup is a Canadian former basketball player and Olympian. Among his accomplishments, he was the fourth overall scorer in the 1976 Summer Olympics, where Canada competed for the bronze medal; was drafted in the NBA by the Buffalo Braves in 1973; was a First Team CIAU All-Canadian ; was the University of Lethbridge's Male Athlete of the Year ; and was a First Team Canada West All-Star.
International career
Tollestrup played for the Canada men's national [basketball team|Canadian men's national basketball team] from 1971 to 1979. This included representing Canada in the 1976 Olympics. Tollestrup played well in these Olympics, being the tournament's fourth overall leading scorer with 21.3 ppg. The '76 Olympics were also noteworthy in that Canada competed for the bronze medal and finished fourth overall, one of only three times in the past 80 years in which Canada has competed for an Olympic medal in basketball.Tollestrup also represented Canada in three Pan American Games, the 1972 Pre-Olympic Tournament, the 1973 World Student Games and the 1974 FIBA World Championships. Tollestrup played well in these tournaments as well: in the 1974 World Championships, he was selected as a North / South American All-Star and was Canada's third-leading scorer with 13.3 ppg. In the 1972 Pre-Olympic tournament, he was Canada's second-leading scorer with 19.3 ppg.
Professional
Tollestrup was drafted by the Buffalo Braves in the 20th round as the 211th overall pick in the 1973 NBA draft. In the 1973–74 season, Tollestrup played professionally in the Spanish first division for Saski Baskonia.University
In high school, Tollestrup led Raymond High School to win two provincial championships. He was also named provincial MVP.He played at BYU the following four years. At BYU, he played on the conference championship team.
Tollestrup played his final year at the University of Lethbridge.
This was the University of Lethbridge's inaugural year in basketball. In this year, he established intercollegiate scoring records when he averaged 26.4 ppg. He was named a First Team All-Canadian, a Canada West First Team All-Star and as the University of Lethbridge's Male Athlete of the Year. In this year, he also led the Pronghorns to the Canada West championship game.