Western Washington University men’s basketball teammates, sophomore Louis Grante-Halliday and freshman Bennett Olujic, have a connection that goes past the court.
Their steadfast friendship has outlasted two different countries, two different high schools and three different colleges.
Somehow, they always find a way back on the same team.
“He is the brother I always wanted,” Olujic said.
Grante-Halliday grew up in Sutton, South London, England, where his family still resides. At 3 years old, he began watching his father, Stuart Halliday, play at the local courts on Saturday mornings and decided he also wanted to play.
In high school, Grante-Halliday wanted to travel to the U.S. to play basketball.
“My parents and I came up with an agreement,” Grante-Halliday said. “I had to get certain grades in England for this to be a serious option. When I was 16, we came out here and I toured a school in New Jersey, Montverde Academy in Florida, and Nathan Hale in Seattle.”
Grante-Halliday began playing at Nathan Hale as a sophomore in 2019 while Olujic was a freshman at Eastside Catholic.
The pandemic arrived in 2020 and Grante-Halliday returned to England during the lockdown. When high schools became hybrid, he returned to the U.S. and transferred to Eastside Catholic. At first, Grante-Halliday was living at a prep house, or a living space for student-athletes while they attend a preparatory school.
“(Louis) was the shyest kid at the school,” Olujic said. “All of the basketball team sat at one table, but he would sit by himself. I said, ‘Louis get your butt over here and stop sitting by yourself.’”
Although Grante-Halliday was a junior and Olujic was a sophomore, the two of them became best friends. After a few months of hanging out together, Olujic’s mother, Tammy Olujic, asked Grante-Halliday to live with the family.
“Once it actually happened, it was awesome to have another guy in the house,” Olujic said.
“Moving in with him was fun,” Grante-Halliday said. “We would be with each other basically 24/7. They treated me like one of their own so I was always grateful for that.”
After living together for a year, the duo finally played together at Eastside Catholic, leading the Crusaders to a 20-11 record during the 2021–22 season.
Once the season ended, Grante-Halliday began his college career at Seattle University. The 6-foot-7 forward took a redshirt during the 2022–23 season. Although he had a dorm room at college, Grante-Halliday found himself at the Olujic house on weekends and holidays.
“The main thing is it eases my parents’ minds,” Grante-Halliday said. “I didn’t have to worry about cooking. If I needed something, I could ask them for help.”
In October 2022, Grante-Halliday remained in the U.S. while Olujic traveled to London for the first time to meet Grante-Halliday’s family and explore a new culture.
“(Louis’) mom and dad were so nice, and I played Monopoly with his brothers for like three hours,” Olujic said. “I thought it was so cool over there with the architecture and the differences. The only food I liked was his mom’s cooking.”
When Olujic returned and finished his high school career, the two of them split apart for the first time since 2021. Olujic played one season at Southeastern Community College in Iowa and Grante-Halliday transferred to Western.
The two of them reunited this season when Olujic joined the Vikings.
“I told Louis when I committed, don’t be mad when I come for you,” Olujic said jokingly. “Louis makes my job very easy because he is extremely versatile.”
Since reuniting at Western, the two of them have moved in together in Bellingham. Grante-Halliday is a 6-foot-6 forward while Olujic is a 6-foot-7 forward.
“I wouldn’t say there are challenges living together except the dishes,” Grante-Halliday said. “We are good at doing our own thing sometimes since we are with each other a lot.”
Olujic, who will likely redshirt this season due to an injury, added that he helps Grante-Halliday with the chores and motivates him on the court.
“Being on the bench is bittersweet because I get to learn and watch him play,” Olujic said. “I always tell Louis, ‘There is nobody stronger than you on this court.’ When I say that, I see a light in his eyes and he starts getting all his points and rebounds.”
They will be on the same team for at least three seasons, including this year. Once Grante-Halliday graduates, he hopes to play professionally. When Olujic graduates, they expect to play together again.
“We have joked about being on the same team one day,” Olujic said. “I imagine this won’t be the last time living together or with each other.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
