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SEC Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Grant Nelson – 6’11 Forward/Center – Alabama Crimson Tide

Grant Nelson became a hot commodity right away out of the Summit League when he hit the transfer portal this past cycle out of North Dakota State. It didn’t surprise many either, when Nelson ultimately landed in the SEC with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Nelson is a 6-foot-10 versatile forward that put up 17.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.7 bpg on 52.1 percent shooting from the floor in 2022-23 with North Dakota State this past season. He’s a highly gifted big man that’s shown he can operate around the rim on both ends as he continues to develop his outside/perimeter game.

He led the Summit League this past season in rebounds (278), 2-point field goals (174), field goal percentage and defensive rebounds (213), was second in PER (27.7), third in blocks (50), fifth in offensive rebounds (65) and fourth in defensive rating (100.5).

Nelson went off for a career-high 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the floor and 2-of-5 from deep along with seven rebounds and three blocks in route to his best performance during his breakout 2022-23 campaign. He was also 8-for-11 from the free-throw line.

He’s improved tremendously over the past three seasons with North Dakota State. He’s a potential 2024 NBA Draft pick given the energy he plays with on both sides of the hardwood as a versatile center-forward. While he isn’t wholly a 3-point shooter, he’s a terror to defend inside the arc and can create off the bounce from the perimeter. He also shot 69-of-225 (30.7 percent) from the perimeter during his career.

Nelson shot a career-high 157 free throws this past season and made a career-high 113 in 2022-23. He’ll look to bring his budding skillset to the Crimson Tide rotation as a primary focal point. As one of three transfers out of the portal and one with some notoriety on the draft boards already, it’s hard to see Alabama taking a step back in 2023-24.

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