Grant Nelson sets NBA Combine record in shuttle run

Former Alabama forward Grant Nelson is putting on a show at the NBA Draft Combine. On Tuesday, the 6-foot-11 standout recorded an unofficial 2.58-second shuttle run, which, if confirmed, would be a combine record.

Malcom Brogdon set the previous record of 2.64 seconds in 2016 and it’s stood unbroken since. It appears that Nelson won’t only be providing teams with high-level scoring and elite rim protection, but rare quickness as well.

Alabama’s Grant Nelson just blew the field out of the water with his shuttle run.

Notched an unofficial 2.58 second mark, which would be the fastest time in the history of the NBA Draft Combine if it holds.

The previous best time was 2.64 seconds by Malcolm Brogdon in 2016. pic.twitter.com/Qaelur1fiK

— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) May 13, 2025

Alas, not too many teams seem keen on drafting Nelson. Nelson was nowhere to be found in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft.

Nelson transferred to Alabama ahead of the 2023-24 season after spending three years at North Dakota State. Nelson averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game this past season while shooting 52.2% from the field.

Nelson’s inefficient 25.8% 3-point shooting in the 2024-25 season could be partly responsible for his underwhelming draft stock. Additionally, at 23 years old, Nelson is on the older end of the spectrum of prospects.

Nonetheless, at 6-foot-10, Nelson offers an intriguing combination of size and skill. Alabama head coach Nate Oats believes NBA teams would be wise to draft the two-year Crimson Tide starter.

“I hope he gets a chance at playing in the NBA,” Oats said. “He’s got a chance. I think he’s at that skill level, at his size, he’s gonna have it. Maybe he has to climb up a different route. Maybe he’s got to be a two-way and get there that way.

“But he’s got a chance when he can stay healthy and really get a shot down. So he’s been a great fit. We run an NBA offense. He’s a skilled big that NBA teams want for guys that make sense in an NBA offense.”

Nelson’s shuttle run wasn’t his only impressive measurement at the NBA Draft Combine. Check out Nelson’s complete measurements below.

• Height (barefoot): 6’10”
• Weight: 222.9 pounds
• Wingspan: 7’0″
• Standing reach: 9’1″
• Hand length: 9 inches
• Hand width: 9 3/4 inches

Grant Nelson isn’t the only Alabama player who isn’t drawing a surplus of draft hype. Most NBA draft experts are also excluding consensus All-American Mark Sears from their mock drafts. Whether or not Nelson hears his name called on draft night, he’ll always look back fondly on his time at Alabama.

“We made history last year, made back-to-back Elite Eights,” Nelson said after Alabama’s season-ending loss in the Elite Eight this spring. “I feel like that’s a solid career. I’m just so thankful for these guys and thankful for these coaches and what they’ve done for me. I just thank God every day for that.”