Classroom:Nelson is a cultural anthropology major with a 3.0 grade point average in his major. He is scheduled to graduate in May 2008 and will have a minor in theater studies.
Character:Duke Athletics sponsors several community service activities for its student-athletes, but Nelson has gone above and beyond by actively seeking out other ways to make an impact. He has shown the reason he was elected as a team captain the past two seasons, including being the only team captain in 2007-08, by being a role model for Durham youth. He has been a mentor for local high school players as well as kids who attend the John Avery Boys and Girls Club to learn how to become better citizens. Another example of Nelson’s selflessness is a story of him meeting a homeless man in downtown Durham, offering him a pair of his shoes since he was barefoot, giving him a ride to a local homeless shelter and then giving the man his contact information. A short time later, the man called Nelson to thank him for what he did and tell him that he was doing great. Nelson also tries to learn the names of people who work in the athletics department and talk with them whenever he sees them, showing his outgoing personality and respect for the people who work around him.
Competition:Already this year, Nelson was selected as a member of the EA Sports Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team and is a mid-season candidate in both the Naismith and Wooden Awards. and Preseason Second Team All-ACC selection (Athlon, Lindy’s, CBS Sports.com). He was voted the ACC’s Best Leader by The Sporting News and the No. 10 small forward in the nation by Lindy’s. He is the team captain. As a junior, he was Honorable Mention All-ACC, ACC All-Defensive Team (media), ACC Coaches’ All-Defensive Team, College Basketball Experience (CBE) Classic All-Tournament Team, CBE Classic Durham Regional MVP, a preseason Naismith Trophy candidate and the team captain; As a freshman, he was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team, as the ACC Rookie of the Week (1/17), and to the preseason All-ACC Rookie Team (ACC Basketball Handbook).