Nate Oats addresses Grant Nelson's NBA future: 'I'd love to have him back'
Alabama bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in Saturday night’s Final Four matchup vs. UConn, but Grant Nelson still had a great night for his NBA Draft stock.
Nelson has been terrific all March and one of the catalysts for Alabama’s run to Phoenix. Against North Carolina, he was the best player on the floor, and then against UConn, he more than held his own against the future pros in the Husky front-court. After the loss, Alabama coach Nate Oats was asked about his big man’s rising stock this tournament.
“I’m sure his draft stock has risen in the tournament,” said Oats. “Particularly, how he played against — was it Carolina where he had 24-12-5. He’s one of the four players in the history of the tournament to do that against a single-digit seed. I think it was him, Shaq, Tim Duncan and Channing Frye.”
Against UConn, the numbers were impressive as well.
“This one, 19 (points) and 15 (rebounds), his stock has risen. We’re going to have to sit down and evaluate how much it’s risen, will he get drafted, where will he get drafted.”
Of course, Oats would love for a Mark Sears type of situation to play out, where Nelson returns as the leader of next year’s team. But if his stock is high enough to warrant a jump to the league, well, then Oats would love to help Nelson fulfill his ultimate dream of playing in the NBA.
“I’d love to have him back, I know that. I always said you do what’s right by the player, by the person. If he’s got a great situation, makes most sense for him not to come back, I’m all for it.”
Oats dealt with a similar situation a year ago where a big man in Noah Clowney wound up leaving for the draft after a far better freshman season that anyone could have imagined.
“Noah Clowney, nobody thought he’d be gone after one year, and ends up going 21st from the draft last year. If Grant’s stock rose enough to where it makes sense he leaves, I’ll be the happiest guy in the world for him.”
But if Nelson ultimately wishes to come back, then obviously, Oats would be thrilled. Either way, he wants what’s best for the senior.
“If he needs another year of college, I’ll welcome him back with open arms. I’d love to welcome him back for another year. We’ll have to figure that out in the next month or two, however long it takes to figure that out.”
Nelson himself gave the following comment after the game on his future, leaving all possibilities open:
“If I do come back to college, I’m hoping it’s Alabama. I’m definitely going to talk to my agent, talk to the coaches, see what’s best for me. Hopefully I can enter the draft process and get drafted this year. But if all else fails, hopefully it’s Alabama coming back.”