Grant Nelson’s path with the Nets has already taken a few turns, and the next one could matter a lot. The 6-foot-11 forward/center got his first NBA look in Brooklyn last season, then saw a knee issue derail the finish. Now he’s back in the organization, still working his way through patellar tendinitis, and still in the mix for Brooklyn’s final two-way contract.
That’s where Nelson stands entering another summer with the Nets. He’s on the 2026 Summer League roster after splitting last season between Brooklyn and Long Island, but he has not played in Las Vegas because of the injury that ended his 2025-26 season. Even so, he remains one of the more intriguing developmental pieces in the system.
Nelson’s college route helped build that case. He spent three seasons at North Dakota State before moving to Alabama for his final two years, and his production kept climbing.
As a freshman, he came off the bench and averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 27 games while winning Summit League Sixth Man of the Year. By his sophomore year, he was starting and putting up 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds.
His breakout came in 2022-23. Nelson averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals while shooting 52.1% from the field in 30.6 minutes per game. That season earned him First Team All-Summit League and All-Defensive Team honors.
He then transferred to Alabama ahead of the 2023-24 season, where the role changed but the impact stayed real. Nelson averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks as the Crimson Tide reached the program’s first Final Four. One of his biggest moments came in the Sweet 16 against North Carolina, when he posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks to help Alabama advance to the Elite Eight.
He came back for one more year in 2024-25 and averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as Alabama made another run to the Elite Eight before he entered the 2025 NBA Draft.
Nelson went undrafted, but Brooklyn brought him in on an Exhibit 10 deal and gave him a full run in Summer League, where he averaged 6.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.1 minutes across five games. He was waived after training camp, then kept going with the Long Island Nets.
That stretch paid off. In 17 G League games, Nelson averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 55.6% from the field. Brooklyn rewarded that work with a 10-day contract in late February, and he made his NBA debut with four appearances for the Nets, averaging 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
The season ended shortly after because of patellar tendinitis. The same issue has kept him out of this year’s Summer League action as well.
What makes Nelson stand out is the way he moves for someone his size. He’s not just a paint-bound big.
He runs the floor well, can handle the ball in transition, and has enough skill to attack slower defenders off the dribble. He also passes willingly and keeps possessions flowing with dribble handoffs and quick reads.
Most of his scoring comes as a cutter, roller and transition finisher. He can rise above the rim, and he’s shown he can grab a rebound and push the ball himself instead of immediately looking for an outlet.
On the other end, his length and mobility let him guard multiple frontcourt spots and help as a weak-side rim protector. He plays hard, rebounds, and brings energy.
The biggest swing skill is the jumper. Nelson shot just 27% from three over his final two college seasons, and adding strength will matter as he adjusts to NBA frontcourt physicality.
Brooklyn’s interest in keeping him around has been steady. The Nets held onto him after training camp, gave him real G League minutes, and eventually called him up. That kind of track record usually says plenty about how a team views a young player.
It also fits the profile Brooklyn has leaned into during its rebuild. Nelson is athletic, versatile and 24 years old, and he already has a full season in the organization under his belt.
Chaney Johnson and Tyler Bilodeau currently hold two of the Nets’ three two-way spots, which leaves one open heading into training camp. If he gets healthy, Nelson should be right in the middle of that competition.
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