Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide land top transfer forward Grant Nelson

One of the top transfers of the college basketball offseason, Grant Nelson has now officially made a decision as to where he will play next season according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, committing to Alabama basketball.

A significant pickup for the Crimson Tide, Nelson is Alabama’s third transfer addition so far this offseason, joining guards Aaron Estrada and Latrell Wrightsell Jr..

Alabama basketball lands commitment from top transfer forward Grant Nelson

As mentioned previously, Nelson is considered as one of the top transfers of the college basketball offseason, rated as the No. 3 overall player in the portal according to 247Sports. Nelson is also the top power forward in the transfer portal, and comes to Alabama after three impressive seasons at North Dakota State.

A career 12.1 PPG scorer across his three seasons with the Bison, Nelson is coming off a 2022-23 season which was arguably his best at North Dakota State, averaging 17.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.7 BPG on 52.1% shooting from the field. Nelson would lead the Summit League in statistical categories that included rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage, while also ranking fourth in scoring, to earn honors such as First Team All-Summit and Summit All-Defense.

A 6-foot-11, 235 pound forward, Nelson comes to Tuscaloosa as an experienced player, one who has started in 56-of-86 games across the last three seasons combined, as well as all 30 contests a year ago. Speaking of starting, that is exactly what Nelson could do for the Crimson Tide during the 2023-24 campaign, as Alabama is tasked with replacing all three starters from the frontcourt a year ago in Brandon Miller, Noah Clowney, and Charles Bediako.

At 6-foot-11, Nelson is capable of playing at either the four-or-five, and is a strong defender who can both rebound, as well as block shots having averaged 1.3 for his collegiate career. Offensively, Nelson can score from all three levels, and holds a career 59% mark on two-point field goals, along with 30.7% from three, as well as 72.2% from the free throw line.

Regardless of whether he starts or not, there is no denying that the addition of Nelson is a big one for Alabama basketball, with the North Dakota State transfer likely to be a major impact player this upcoming season.