Sa'eed Nelson
Sa'eed Nelson (born September 9, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for Academics Heidelberg of the ProA. He played college basketball for American.
No. 1 – MLP Academics Heidelberg | |
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Position | Point guard |
League | ProA |
Personal information | |
Born | Pleasantville, New Jersey | September 9, 1998
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | St. Augustine Prep (Richland, New Jersey) |
College | American (2016–2020) |
NBA draft | 2020 / Undrafted |
Playing career | 2020–present |
Career history | |
2020–present | Academics Heidelberg |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Early life and high school career
Nelson is the son of Jeffery Nelson and grew up in Pleasantville, New Jersey. His favorite basketball player growing up was Kobe Bryant.[1] He mainly focused on playing football before high school, and he was a big Philadelphia Eagles fan.[2]
Nelson attended St. Augustine Prep, where he was coached by Paul Rodio. Nelson stood 5'5 as a freshman.[3] As a junior, Nelson averaged 18.5 points and 7.8 assists per game and led the team to a 27–2 record.[4] In his senior season, Nelson hit the clinching shot and free throw in a 58–55 win against Christian Brothers Academy in the Battle by the Bay. In the Non-Public A title game, he scored 30 points in a 83–50 win against Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Nelson was a two-time Press of Atlantic City player of the year and finished his career with 1,625 points, third highest in school history.[3] Despite averaging 20 points per game as a senior, Nelson was not highly recruited, as most of his scholarship offers came from Patriot League schools, and he was rated a one-star recruit by ESPN.[2] He committed to American on October 5, 2015.[4]
College career
In his freshman debut, Nelson scored 12 points in a 62–56 loss to Maryland. He posted back-to-back 24 point games against Wagner and St. Francis (Pennsylvania), averaging 14.9 points per game as a freshman.[2] He was named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team.[5] As a sophomore, Nelson averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, though the team finished 6-24.[1] He was named to the Second Team All-Patriot League.[6] Nelson averaged 19.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game as a junior. He was named to the First Team All-Patriot League.[7] Nelson scored 28 points on February 15, 2020, in a 72–68 loss to Bucknell and broke the 2,000 point threshold.[8] On February 26, Nelson scored 30 points in a 79–59 win against Lafayette and broke Russell Bowers' all-time scoring record at American.[6] At the conclusion of the regular season, Nelson was named Patriot League Player of the Year.[9] He averaged 18.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as a senior.[10]
Professional career
On August 26, 2020, Nelson signed his first professional contract with Academics Heidelberg of the ProA.[11]
References
- Austin, Ahmad (February 28, 2020). "Sa'eed Nelson savoring results of his loyalty to American University". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- Kolodny, John (February 21, 2019). "'I just keep working': How Sa'eed Nelson's quiet confidence and work ethic have carried the guard to national prominence". The Eagle. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- McGarry, Michael (February 20, 2020). "Sa'eed Nelson on the verge of basketball history again by playing the right way: McGarry". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- McGarry, Michael (October 5, 2015). "Press Player of Year Sa'eed Nelson to play basketball at American University". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- "2016-17 Men's Basketball All-Patriot League Team and Major Awards Announced" (Press release). Patriot League. February 27, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- Wainman, Laura; Haynes, Darren (February 27, 2020). "Sa'eed Nelson becomes American University's all-time leading scorer". WUSA9. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- "Patriot League Men's Basketball 2019-20 Preseason Honors and Poll Announced (10.16.19)". Patriot League. October 16, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- "Men's Basketball Streak Halted at Bucknell, Nelson Reaches 2,000 Career Points". American Eagles. February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- Byrum, Tyler (March 2, 2020). "American's Sa'eed Nelson named Patriot League Player of the Year". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- "2020 Patriot League Tournament Preview". Student Union Sports. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- Schmidt-Scheuber, Miles (August 26, 2020). "Sa'eed Nelson To Begin Professional Career With The MLP Academics". Eurobasket. Retrieved August 27, 2020.