North Dakota State forward Grant Nelson, one of the top players remaining in the NCAA transfer portal, opted out of the 2023 NBA Draft last month with plans to crash the SEC.
On Wednesday, Nelson deciding to play his senior season at Alabama instead of Arkansas.
An All-Summit League first-team selection, Nelson posted 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game over 30 starts as a junior in 2022-23. He declared for the NBA draft and received an invitation to the scouting combine before withdrawing ahead of the May 31 deadline to maintain his NCAA eligibility.
In three seasons at North Dakota State, the 6-foot-11 Nelson owns career averages of 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per contest. He blocked a career-high 50 shots last season.
With the Crimson Tide, he’ll help replace the production of SEC Player of the Year Brandon Miller, drafted second overall in the draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
Two other key players from last season bolted Alabama for the NBA in Noah Clowney (21st overall, Brooklyn Nets) and Charles Bediako (undrafted, signed with the San Antonio Spurs).
–Field Level Media
