Spencer Nelson

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Spencer Nelson
No. 17 Montepaschi Siena
Position Small forward / Power forward
League Italian League
Eurocup
Personal information
Born (1980-07-11) July 11, 1980
Pocatello, Idaho
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Listed weight 225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school Pocatello (Pocatello, Idaho)
College Utah State (1998–1999, 2002–2005)
NBA draft 2005 / Undrafted
Pro playing career 2005–present
Career history
2005–2006 GHP Bamberg
2006–2007 Benetton Treviso
2007–2008 Fortitudo Bologna
2008–2009 Aris Thessaloniki
2009–2010 Peristeri
2010–2013 Gran Canaria
2013–present Montepaschi Siena
Career highlights and awards
  • Italian Cup MVP (2007)

Spencer Howells Nelson (born July 11, 1980) is an American-born Azerbaijani[1][2] naturalized professional basketball player, currently playing for Montepaschi Siena. At 6'8", he plays both forward positions, although he is mainly considered as a power forward. Nelson is married to Julie Clayton Nelson[3] and they currently live in Spain.

High school

Spencer attended Pocatello High School and was named the Idaho A-1 Player of the Year as a senior in 1998. He averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks per game as a senior. Hit 43.3 percent of his three-pointers and sank 73.0 percent of his free throws as a senior. As a junior, he averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and shot 62.5 percent from the field. Earned second-team all-state honors and first-team all-region honors as a junior. Spencers abilities were not limited to the basketball court as he was a four-year letterwinner in tennis, claiming the men's doubles state championship in 1998 and finishing third in mixed doubles in 1997.

College

After his freshman year, he went on a two-year mission to Oklahoma, serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon his return, he became one of the Big West Conference's best players.[4]

Nelson had a stellar career as an Aggie and was named to the Utah State University All-Century Team while still playing for Utah State.[5]

Professional Basketball

After graduating in 2005, he was not drafted in the 2005 NBA Draft. However, he was invited to try out for the Utah Jazz. He was an immediate fan favorite because of his success at Utah State. Despite playing well, Nelson was not chosen for the final roster, but was immediately offered a spot playing for GHP Bamberg in Germany. In 2006, instead of seeing if he'd make the final roster for the Jazz, Nelson chose to play for Benetton Treviso, a team that he made an outstanding performance against while playing with Bamberg in the Euroleague (he scored 23 points, pulled down 20 rebounds and delivered 7 assists) in a 92-85 home win.[6] Nelson's good performance helped the team qualify for the top 16 phase, the first ever German team to accomplish this achievement.
After spending one season with Treviso, mainly coming from the bench, Nelson transferred to Climamio Bologna, also in Italy. On 26 January 2010 he stated that GHP Bamberg (Germany) was his favourite professional club he played for. He also told a local radio station to send greeings to the fans of his former club.

In July 2010 he signed a contract with CB Gran Canaria in the Spanish ACB, where he played with former Utah State teammate Jaycee Carroll during the season 2010/11.[7] In the summer of 2013, he signed with Montepaschi Siena.

Awards

High School

  • 1997-98 Idaho A-1 Player of the Year

College

  • 2002-03 Big West Player of the Week (1/13/03)
  • 2002-03 Utah State Most Inspirational Player
  • 2002-03 Academic All-Big West
  • 2002-03 Big West Hustle Player of the Year
  • 2002-03 All-Big West Honorable Mention
  • 2003-04 Big West Player of the Week (1/12/04)
  • 2003-04 Utah State Most Inspirational Player
  • 2003-04 Multiple Sclerosis Society Utah State Chapter Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year
  • 2003-04 Academic All-Big West
  • 2003-04 Big West Hustle Player of the Year
  • 2003-04 Big West Second Team All-Conference
  • 2004-05 Big West Player of the Week (12/20/04)[8]
  • 2004-05 Big West Player of the Week (1/31/05)[9]
  • 2004-05 Big West Player of the Week (2/7/05)[10]
  • 2004-05 Utah State Most Inspirational Player
  • 2004-05 Cecil Baker Most Valuable Player
  • 2004-05 Utah State Male Athlete of the Year
  • 2004-05 Utah State Big West Scholar-Athlete
  • 2004-05 Big West All-Tournament Team
  • 2004-05 Big West First Team All-Conference
  • 2004-05 Big West Hustle Player of the Year
  • 2004-05 United States Basketball Writer's Association All District 8 Team[11]
  • 2004-05 CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Player of the Year[12]

References

External links

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