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Elite North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson signals the portal's third wave – 247Sports
The third, and final, wave of the college basketball transfer portal is here to stay. North Dakota State star Grant Nelson plans to enter the portal, according to a report by The Forum’s Mike McFeely. The 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward immediately vaults to the top of the list in the transfer portal. Nelson — who will earn a dazzling 97 grade from 247Sports, which puts among the top 5 — is currently testing the 2023 NBA Draft waters. Nelson’s blend of size and adept ball handling will make him a hot commodity at the Chicago-based NBA Draft Combine on May 16-18. Nelson’s film is littered with grab-and-go possessions where the Bison star leads the transition break and finishes it off with a nasty tomahawk jam.
If Nelson chooses to return to school, high-major programs will undoubtedly be lining up and clearing the books for a shot at one of the best players in the Summit League. Nelson averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game this past season. The junior shot 72% from the charity stripe and 60% on 2s.
“Number one, he’s an incredible kid and he’s got great character,” North Dakota State coach David Richman told 247Sports’ Eric Bossi. “His humility is terrific and there’s not too many creatures on this planet who are 6-foot-11 and can do the things he does with the ball and the way he moves. He’s a really good player right now, but he’s just scratching the surface.”
The First Team All-Summit League selection shined against high-major competition. Nelson had 17 points, six rebounds and one block in just 21 minutes of North Dakota State’s season-opening, 76-58 loss to Arkansas. He followed it up with an 11-point, nine-rebound, two-block showing against Kansas. Nelson had an absurd 20-point, 22-rebound, double-double in the Bison’s 89-79 victory over South Dakota State in the Summit League tournament semifinals.
Questions about Nelson’s jump shot still remain. The 6-foot-11 forward shot just 26.9% from 3-point range. Nelson shot 30.4% on catch-and-shoots and 27.3% on off-the-dribble jumpers, according to Synergy.
“Good college player,” a Western Conference executive told 247Sports. “We like his size, motor and athleticism. The shooting is a big question mark for a modern big. If he stays in school and proves he can shoot it would be a game changer for him.”
If Nelson returns to college, he has a chance to cement his position as one of the top options in the 2024 NBA Draft. Nelson is a no-brainer addition for anyone, but Arkansas is an early school to watch. Eric Musselman has revamped the Arkansas backcourt with additions like top-30 freshman Layden Blocker, El Ellis (Louisville), Keyon Menifield (Washington), Khalif Battle (Temple) and Tramon Mark (Houston). But adding Nelson to a frontcourt that already features five-star big man Baye Fall and Trevon Brazile would instantly make the Razorbacks one of the most talent-laden rosters in the country.
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