One of UBC's best and most exciting basketball players led UBC Thunderbirds to two National championships. All-Canadian, set CIAU and UBC scoring records. Drafted by the NBA in 1973, he played on Canada's World Student Games Team and National Team. Coached UBC women's basketball team to a CIAU National championship in 1974.
Ron Thorsen arrived on the UBC campus in the fall of 1967, having graduated from high school in Prince George, BC. The native of San Jose, California (his father elected to live his retirement years in Prince George) was one of the finest high school basketball players seen in this province and, some say, in the entire country. He was twice named to the BC High School All-Star team and was the province's Most Valuable Player in 1966/67.
In 1967, the UBC freshman, described as a "superlative ball handler", was the recipient of the first annual John Owen bursary, in addition to being lauded by federal cabinet minister John Turner for his all-around citizenship.
Thorsen was outstanding for Norm Watt's powerful Junior Varsity. "Thorsen and JV's Smash SFU" was a sports highlight for UBC this season as SFU's Junior Varisty’s were whipped 82-44 by the Point Grey lads. In a game against a Washington State Community College, Thorsen"...was the class of the floor as his twisting drives and soft jumpers confounded Big Bend." Although a freshman, Thorsen was already considered by many to be the best guard in Canada. Thunderbird basketball coach Peter Mullins, a strong influence in Thorsen's decision to come to UBC, was looking forward to 1968/69 when Ron would be eligible to join the UBC Thunderbirds.
In 1968/69 Thorsen lived up to expectations playing on an extremely talented Thunderbird team. He was particularly brilliant with his quick driving, accurate passing, ability to score points and his unselfish team play.
The 1969/70 season was one of the best ever for UBC and its "flashy" guard Thorsen with his "magical touch". The Mullins-coached crew went through the entire WCIAA season undefeated (20-0) winning the conference championship as well as trouncing SFU in the Buchanan trophy game 103-67. In a game against the University of Regina, Thorsen scored 25 points playing approximately half the game, utilizing his many talents against the porous Regina defense. Against Saskatchewan, "Thorsen Leads Birds To Top" was the Ubyssey headline as in only three quarters of the contest Thorsen scored an amazing 48 points, setting a new UBC record for points in one game. In the Canadian championships, UBC was the class of the field easily beating the best from the east for the CIAU National title. Thorsen was named to the championship tournament All-Star team, selected the tournament's Most Valuable Player and named to the All-Canadian team. In addition to experiencing the country's highest team and individual honours, Thorsen had set three prominent UBC basketball records this season; most points in one game, points per game average (20.3) and points in one season (650).
UBC and Thorsen came right back the next year, winning their first eleven games, including another Buchanan trophy victory over SFU. Defending scoring champion Thorsen led the team in scoring virtually every game. The Birds reached the WCIAA finals this year with Thorsen being the only unanimous selection to the conference All-Star team, as determined by the coaches of the league's ten teams. Bruce Enns, who at the time was a student in Manitoba and later was UBC's head basketball coach, describes Thorsen as having been "a tremendous creator and tremendously intelligent."
As the Birds prepared for the 1971/72 season, it was becoming apparent UBC had the most exciting player in Canada and a great draw for UBC basketball. Thorsen was also on the verge of setting a new UBC career point scoring mark, entering the season just 72 points shy of John McLeod's record. Once again it was a most successful season for the Blue and Gold and for Thorsen. UBC won its second Canadian University championship in three years with Thorsen taking virtually all of the individual honours in the process. In addition to being named BC University Athlete of the Year for 1971/72 and selected to play for the Canadian National team in 1972/73, his 650 points in 1971/72 tied his own single season record, a record that would stand for 14 years. His career total of 2,059 points was both a UBC and Canadian university record. His career point per game average of 19.1 plus his 2,059 points were UBC records that would stand for another 18 years.
After graduating with a BPE in 1972, Thorsen further contributed to UBC basketball by coaching the women's Varsity basketball team in the mid-1970's, taking the Thunderettes to the Canadian University Championship in 1973/74. This would be his third Canadian Basketball Championship while at UBC, two as a player, one as a coach.
Thorsen also has the distinction of being the only Thunderbird to ever be drafted by the NBA, going 209th overall in 1973. Although he did not play NBA basketball he continued with Canada's National Team through the 1970s playing in the Pan-Am Games, World Championships and pre-Olympic tournaments.
His National championships, his unselfish team-oriented play, his long standing UBC scoring records and national recognition both for himself and UBC – fans will agree, as far as UBC basketball is concerned, Thorsen was one of the greatest.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
