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Grant Nelson joining Brooklyn Nets after being undrafted in 2025 NBA Draft

On3 imageby: Sam Gillenwater06/27/25samdg_33
F Grant Nelson
Will McLelland | Imagn Images

Grant Nelson went from a well-known mid-major prospect to a leading contributor for a power program over five years playing college basketball. Now, with that collegiate career over, Nelson is on his way to the next level after the NBA Draft.

The Brooklyn Nets signed Nelson to an undrafted free agent contract, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported. He will compete for one of the two-way spots in training camp.

Nelson played in 160 games, 127 being starts, for North Dakota State and Alabama. He averaged 11.9 points (50.7% FG, 28.7% 3PT), 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game with the Bison and the Crimson Tide. By the end of his time with NDSU, Nelson, a native of Devils Lake, North Dakota, was a selection as First Team All-Summit and to the Summit All-Defensive Team after averaging 17.9 points (52.1% FG), 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks. Then, in transferring as a top player in the portal to Tuscaloosa, Nelson would post 11.7 points (50.5% FG), 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks on a pair of teams for the Tide that made the Final Four in 2024 and the Elite Eight in 2025.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Nelson

On3’s James Fletcher assesses Nelson as a versatile-enough prospect at forward, with his athleticism and overall offensive game. That said, being more of a stretch-big by improving his three-pointer while also working on his consistency from game to game will be needed for him in coming into the NBA.

“Grant Nelson has all the tools to play an exciting brand on both ends of the floor, showing fluid movement on the perimeter and strength inside,” wrote Fletcher. “However, along with his 3-point shot there are questions on his consistent ability to take over.”

“Grant Nelson is a player who has gotten onto the fringe of NBA talks multiple times now, and will be in the mix again after concluding his college career,” Fletcher wrote in May, naming Nelson a Top-10 PF in this draft class. “The unique offensive skillset for a tall forward makes him valuable, even if he struggles to consistently turn skill into production.