Luke O'Brien

Photo by: Tony Harman

Photo by: Matan Coll, CU Athletics

Photo by: Tony Harman

Photo by: Joel Broida

Position:
Guard
Height:
6-8
Weight:
222
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Littleton, Colo.
High School:
Columbine
Major:
Communication

Career: Played in 111 games over his four-year career, averaging 4.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Shot 44 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.

2023-24 (Senior): Averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He was third on the team in blocked shots (14) and 3-pointers (32), fourth in steals (25) and fifth in rebounding and assists (44). Scored a career-high 18 points on a personal-best eight field goals made in the win over Utah Tech (12/21). That performance came during a span in which he scored in double-figures in four-straight games for the first time in his career. Had nine points at USC (2/17), but more significantly, slammed in a dunk with three seconds left to cap off a 16-point second-half comeback to send the game into overtime. He had 11 points in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon (3/16), shooting 3-of-4 from 3-point range, his most 3-pointers made against a conference opponent this season. In the NCAA Tournament, had 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the field against Florida (3/22), scoring in double-figures for the 10th time this season (CU was 9-1 in those games). Co-winner of the team's Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award. Following the season, he opted to use his final "covid" year of eligibility at Georgia Tech.

2022-23 (Junior): Colorado's leading rebounder by total number at 185 with his 5.6 per game average ranking second behind J'Vonne Hadley (5.9 rpg) who appeared in 11 less games. He upped his rebounding numbers in Pac-12 play to 6.2 per game which led the Buffaloes and ranked 12th in the Pac-12. Topped the Buffaloes in rebounding a team-best 12 times including 10 of the final 15 games of the season. Inserted into the starting lineup for the last nine games and 10 overall. He averaged 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in his final seven games. Had the first two double-doubles of his career during that span. Scored a season-high 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against UCLA (2/26) and two games later had those same figures against Washington (3/8) in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. Hit 6 of 10 from the field in the win over the Huskies including a late 3-point shot that helped secure the game for the Buffaloes. Averaged a team-best 8.5 rebounds in two Pac-12 Tournament games. Grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds against Seton Hall (3/14), the most by a Colorado player in a NIT contest. Had a team-best five double-figure rebounding games. Recipient of the team's Most Improved and Stephane Pelle Rebounding Awards at the end of season banquet.

2021-22 (Sophomore): Averaged 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds as a key reserve off the bench. One of five Buffaloes to appear in all 33 games. Had 30 offensive rebounds, tying for the fourth on the team. Scored a career-high 14 points in the road win over Oregon State (2/15). Made 5 of 6 from the floor including 3 of 4 from 3-point range in his first double-figure scoring game and first with multiple 3-point field goals. Shot 44 percent on the season, improving that number down the stretch by hitting his final 15 of 32 from the floor (.469). Grabbed a career-high eight rebounds at home against Oregon State (2/5). Twice dished out a personal-best four assists, at home against Washington (1/9) and again at Stanford (2/19). Recorded a career-best four steals against Maine (11/15) which also tied for the team's season-best mark.

2020-21 (Freshman): Played in 10 games on CU's senior-laden squad, totaling 15 points and seven rebounds while shooting 43 percent (6 of 14) in limited minutes. Saw action in both NCAA Tournament games, pitching in a personal-best four points in the first round win over Georgetown (3/20). Had a career-best four rebounds against California (1/14), a game in which he also made his first career 3-pointer. Made his collegiate debut in the final three minutes of the season opener against South Dakota (11/25) and two days later scored his first career points at Kansas State (11/27).

High School: A 2020 graduate of Columbine High School. Named Colorado’s Class 5A State Player of the Year as a senior, averaging 26.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. Led the Rebels to a 21-5 record in 2020 and spot in the Class 5A State Tournament “Great 8” for the first time since 2011. A two-time Class 5A All-State First Team selection and two-time JeffCo League Player of the Year. Led the JeffCo League in scoring at 21 points per game in 2019 as the Rebels finished undefeated in conference play and advanced to the second round of the state tournament. Four-time All-JeffCo First Team pick. Holds Columbine career records for points, steals, rebounds, field goals made, 3-pointers made, free throws made and scoring average. Played six years for the Colorado Miners club program.

Academics: Graduated from Colorado in May 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Communication and a minor in Business. A member of the AD’s honor roll.

Personal: Born on Aug. 21, 2001, in Denver. He is the son of Steve and Corie O’Brien. Has three siblings, an older sister, Emma who attended Colorado State, and two younger brothers, Landon and Levi. His father, Steve, was a walk-on basketball player at CSU. Enjoys golf, bowling and video games and considers himself an above average golfer and bowler. His favorite NBA player is Steph Curry and his favorite pro sports team is Tottenham of the English Premier League. Chose Colorado in part because “the coaches and players were great and it felt like the right fit.” The biggest moment of his prep career was scoring 33 points, including all 16 of his team’s points in the fourth quarter, in a win over Boulder High School that sent Columbine to the State Tournament at the Denver Coliseum.