Strengths: Both long and athletic, plays bigger than his 6’3’’ 205 lb frame would suggest … Uses a combination of length, quickness, and strength to take smaller guards to the basket and dominate inside … Causes a match-up problem for almost any guard/small forward forced to cover him … Has developed a very respectable three-point shot as he shot 41% from deep as a sophomore and 36.4% as a junior … An exceptional rebounder for his size (5.4 per game last year). Has the body and athleticism to be terrific on the boards and on the defensive end … Shows good aggressiveness when it comes to doing the little things, does a good job of letting the game come to him and staying within Coach K’s system … Has really stepped up his defense. Averaged a career-high 1.5 steals per game last season and is learning how to translate his long frame and athleticism into defensive success. Has the potential to be a lock-down defender … A veteran with a true scorer’s mentality … Averaged 14.1 points per game last season, but with Josh McRoberts gone and the Blue Devils lacking experience, Duke will lean on Nelson to be their #1 option, which could mean 18-20 points per game for the explosive wing in his senior year.

Weaknesses: Relies too heavily on the three-point shot at times. While that may be a product of Duke’s offensive system, Nelson would benefit from attacking the basket more rather than settling for the long-range shot … Free-throw shooting has been unspectacular in his three years at Duke (53%, 65%, 59%). Could average around 18 points per game if he could convert free throws at an average rate for a SG … Ballhandling and playmaking skills are there, but he doesn’t utilize them, partly because of the role he plays in the Blue Devil offense … Had a terrible assist/turnover ratio last season (0.8/1) and has never had more assists than turnovers in his three years of college ball. Will have to improve upon that number to convince NBA GM’s that he can be a shooting guard at the next level.

Notes: Nelson holds the all-time scoring record for California HS basketball with 3,462 points. The 6’3’’ wing also racked up 1,522 rebounds in his high school career, which ranks an incredible third all-time in the state of California. His 791 career assists are ninth all-time in the state … Led the West team with 22 points in the 2004 McDonald’s All-American game … Averaged 24.5 points per game for the West in the USA Men’s Basketball Youth Development Festival in 2003…Is a high-character kid who is very active in the Duke community.