Grant Nelson Just Put the NBA on Notice at the Draft Combine
Heading into the NBA Draft Combine, Alabama’s Grant Nelson wasn’t exactly turning heads. Most projections had him going undrafted, and it’s not hard to see why. At 6’11”, he’s got some enticing tools, but his jump shot has always been shaky—and in today’s NBA, that’s a big red flag, especially for a forward.
He’s not quite strong enough to bang with centers at the next level (he had trouble with SEC bigs), and as a power forward, shooting is almost non-negotiable. Unfortunately, Nelson hasn’t shown much promise there—he shot under 27% from three in each of his last three college seasons, including just 25.8% last year with the Crimson Tide.
But here’s the thing: Nelson’s still got something that NBA teams love—athleticism, hustle, and nonstop energy. He plays hard, competes on every possession, and doesn’t back down. That kind of motor can earn you a spot in a rotation, especially off the bench.
And then came the Combine.
On Wednesday, Nelson gave scouts something to talk about—big time. During the shuttle drill (which tests agility and quickness), he posted an unofficial time of 2.58 seconds. To put that in perspective, if the number holds, it would be the fastest time ever recorded at the NBA Draft Combine. Ever. The current record? 2.64 seconds by Malcolm Brogdon back in 2016.
For a big man to post that kind of number? That’s elite. It’s not just a flashy stat either—it shows Nelson’s ability to move laterally, stay balanced, and react quickly, all crucial for defending in today’s switch-heavy NBA.
Could This Be the Start of a Draft Climb?
Don’t expect Nelson to suddenly leap into the first round, but a performance like that absolutely puts him on the radar. He hasn’t shown up in mock drafts yet, but that could change—especially if he shows out in the 5-on-5 scrimmages during the Combine.
He’s suiting up for Team Williams, with games scheduled Wednesday and Thursday. If he can flash that athleticism and show some polish on both ends, teams will start to take a real look.
Alabama already has one likely pick in Labaron Philon, who’s expected to go in the first round. If Nelson sneaks into the second? That’s a major W for Nate Oats and the Alabama program.
Stay tuned—Grant Nelson might just be working his way into the NBA the hard way: with grit, grind, and a record-breaking first impression.
Scouts Couldn’t Believe Their Eyes—Grant Nelson Went OFF at the Draft Combine
