VITALS: 6-0, 190, St. Joseph's OVERVIEW: Nelson earned the prestigious Naismith and Wooden Awards as the nation's top college player following a stellar senior season at St. Joseph's. Nelson averaged 20.6 points and 5.3 assists for the Hawks, who went 30-2. He first received notice as a freshman with an impressive NCAA Tournament showing. A native of Chester, Pennsylvania, Nelson's strength lies in his knowledge and ability to play the point guard position. His weaknesses include his shooting and defensive problems due to his lack of size. Nelson applied for the draft last summer before returning to school. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Nelson could land literally anywhere in the first round. He put together an awesome NCAA career and will be a solid pro. A club looking for the latter could take him in the top half of the first round. More realistically, however, Nelson slides to the bottom half, where clubs are less worried about star potential. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Tim Hardaway, Derek Fisher COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Rumeal Robinson, Moochie Norris ROLE PROJECTION: Key reserve, possible future starter POSITIVES: Nelson is not tall but has incredible strength and handles play in traffic very well. He has a nose for the basket in the up-tempo game and can hit deep pull-up jumpers. He has an incredible ability to make reads and play the passing lane, and his credentials as a playmaker are more than solid. Nelson's leadership and charisma will greatly enhance team chemistry. SHORTCOMINGS: Small NBA point guards usually make up for what they lack in size with what they have in speed. The 6-foot Nelson, however, is only a slightly above-average athlete. Moreover, he profited from the freedom he was given in St. Joseph's offense, but many wonder how effective he will be in more disciplined half-court settings in the NBA. At worst, Nelson seems like a great reserve guard at the next level. Despite his career credentials, however, he is not projected as a sure-fire starter. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Good player. Solid. True point guard. Makes plays. Has experience. Very steady." New Jersey Nets team president Rod Thorn
The Bobcats also were trying to find a way to get another first-round pick to put them in position to draft Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's. ``There are some other point guards in the mix, also, but Jameer happens to be the player of the year,'' Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. ``If you can get a player like that down in the middle of the (first) round, it's a coup.''
How the hell is Portland gonna select Telfair over Nelson? That's is by far the idiotic thing I've ever seen. Jameer has proven so much more than this kid (keyword = kid), he has 4 yrs of D1 and player of the year honors. This will definitely blow up in Portland's face (anyone remember Omar Cooke?), watch you'll see.
what the hell is going on here? Why is Nelson not getting picked? He is a dope player. He's gonna make them pay. He's gonna make they cry for passing up on him. EDIT: ABOUT DAMN TIME! He has those 19 teams on his calendar. Watch out.
really suprised Boston, Utah, and Miami passed up on him. Boston and Utah could really use some guard help, and I felt Miami should have picked him to move Wade to his more natural position of the 2-guard.
Jameer Nelson had a right to be frustrated....all these scrubs were being picked over him....Telfair....Al Jefferson....come on now...Nelson has proven himself...Telfair should have went to college no matter what his situation is....
