Overview
Nelson played basketball for Devils Lake High School in North Dakota. As a junior, he was named second-team All-State. The following season, he was named North Dakota Mr. Basketball, averaging 25 points, 18 rebounds and 5.7 blocks. He committed to North Dakota State for college. As a freshman, Nelson was named The Summit League Sixth Man and to The Summit League All-Newcomer Team, drawing five starts in 27 appearances. He improved to 21 starts in 29 appearances as a sophomore, making The Summit League All-Tournament Team. Nelson had a breakout junior campaign, starting in all 30 appearances, and was named to The Summit League All-First Team and All-Defensive Team behind 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. The next season, the big man transferred to Alabama where he remained in a starting role as a senior (on a better squad), averaging 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.6 steals.
Analysis
Nelson has shown intriguing versatility for his size at 6-foot-11. He’s not a traditional, plodding big. Defensively, he’s still best on the interior, where he’s shown impressive shot-blocking ability throughout his collegiate career. The perimeter defense is still a work in progress, but he’s a smooth athlete, so there’s potential. Offensively, Nelson ran the show more when he was at NDSU, but his role at Alabama probably translates better to what we can expect him to do in the NBA. He’s a connecting big man, capable of operating in dribble handoffs, pick and rolls and pops, grabbing and going off rebounds and finishing in transition. His three-pointer is still a work in progress, as he shot 55-for-203 (27%) over the past two seasons. But Nelson shot 122-for-150 (81%) from the charity stripe in 2023-24, so there’s reason for optimism about his longball. He’ll post up and use his height and footwork against smaller opponents, and he’ll use his athleticism to blow by bigger and slower opponents.
Projection
Nelson projects as a versatile connecting big at the NBA level, but his ultimate impact may be determined by whether he can improve his three-ball and perimeter defense. Comparisons can be drawn to players like Santi Aldama or Kelly Olynyk. He will almost certainly begin his career off the bench as an energy big man, with hopes to progress in his development to increase his role.
— Profile by RotoWire