F Grant Nelson bypasses draft to return to Alabama

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th April, 16:44 2024

Connecticut guard Cam Spencer (12) tries to save the ball against Alabama forward Grant Nelson (2) during the Final Four semifinal game at State Farm Stadium. credits: Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Alabama forward Grant Nelson will not enter the 2024 NBA Draft, instead using his final year of NCAA eligibility in Tuscaloosa.

"Lets run it back @alabamambb !!" Nelson wrote in an Instagram post Monday.

Nelson transferred to Alabama last offseason after three productive years at North Dakota State. The 6-foot-10 North Dakota native averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game over 37 games (all starts) in his first year with Alabama.

Nelson shot 48.8 percent overall, including 61.6 percent on 2-pointers.

He helped the Crimson Tide reach their first Final Four in program history, putting up double-doubles against North Carolina in the Sweet 16 (24 points, 12 rebounds) and in a loss to eventual champion UConn in the Final Four (19, 15).

In 123 games (93 starts) across four years at North Dakota State and Alabama, he's averaged 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 50.2 percent overall.

—Field Level Media