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NCAA Basketball: Why Grant Nelson is most impactful player in transfer portal

By Bryan Mauro

Mar 8, 2022; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) looks to pass against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the second half at Denny Sanford Premier Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2022; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) looks to pass against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the second half at Denny Sanford Premier Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Impact

The big man from North Dakota State has already let everyone in the portal know that his focus is on the NBA and getting to the NBA. He is being mocked as a second-rounder right now, but many believe in the right situation, and with greater exposure he could be a first-rounder. The big man is transferring from the Bison because his overall goal is to make the NBA and his likely transfer destination is going to be wherever the big man feel he can get the most exposure and have the best chance at reaching his dream.

That still doesn’t explain why Nelson is the most impactful transfer in the portal. Let’s analyze, where are you going to be able to find another player who is 6’11” and can dribble and handle like a point guard, pass like a guard, and has tons of range?  He can also rebound, play fantastic defense, shoot free throws, and get into the lane and finish with either a dunk or a lay-in. The same player also locks down the paint on the defensive side of the ball. You would think it is a video game create a player, or Chet Holmgren who at the time was the most unique basketball player most people had ever seen.

Grant Nelson is exactly like Holmgren in many ways except he doesn’t have the recognition or the exposure that the former Zag had. Those players both have the talent and the skillset to be transcendent players in the college game and the NBA game. Nelson is going to have his pick of teams to go to and it is likely going to be a power school that is going to help him reach his goals.

There are no other players in college basketball with the skill set of Nelson. Not a single player has the flexibility to play 1-5 successfully at the college level like Nelson can. The three-point shot is not where the big man wants it to be but with a little tweaking he can be a 40% three-point shooter. He is already one of the most efficient players in the sport making over half of his shots from the floor.

He took 382 shots last season which breaks down to about 13 a game for the Bison. It was not a lot of volume, but it is still more than a lot of other guys get. His efficiency and his ability to score from all over the floor, his ability to provide the maximum positional flexibility, and his ability to rebound, block shots, and defend is why is the most valuable player in the transfer portal.