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Alabama received a major boost to its roster with the addition of former North Dakota State star forward Grant Nelson, who committed to the Crimson Tide via the transfer portal, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander confirms. Nelson was one of the top remaining available players in the transfer portal and ranked 50th on CBS Sports transfer portal rankings list.
Alabama was in an intense recruiting battle with Eric Musselman and Arkansas, with Nelson deciding between the SEC programs after he canceled a visit to Baylor earlier this month. Nelson also received significant interest from Florida State and Iowa, among others.
Nelson is a polarizing prospect at 6-foot-11 and will likely have a different role at Alabama this season than he did last season with the Bison. He is a modern-day point-forward with a solid handle and shot 29.4% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last season. He averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists and shot 52.1% from the floor in 2022-23.
Nelson withdrew his name from NBA Draft consideration at the early withdrawal deadline to return to school. When he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, he also entered the transfer portal, giving him the flexibility to attend a different school if he withdrew from the draft. Nelson would’ve likely gone undrafted or been a late second-round pick had he stayed in the draft.
Impact at Alabama
Nelson gives the Crimson Tide an instant boost. The roster as constructed looks more like a team that will start the season ranked. Alabama last season was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished the season 31-6 before falling to San Diego State in the Sweet 16.
It’s no secret that Alabama…
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