Spencer Nelson
Encyclopedia
Spencer Howells Nelson is an American
-born Azerbaijan
i naturalized professional basketball
player, currently playing for CB Gran Canaria
in the Spanish
ACB. At 6'8", he plays both forward positions, although he is mainly considered as a power forward
. Nelson is married to Julie Clayton Nelson and they currently live in Spain
.
and was named the Idaho A-1 Player of the Year as a senior in 1998. He averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks per game as a senior. Hit 43.3 percent of his three-pointers and sank 73.0 percent of his free throws as a senior. As a junior, he averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and shot 62.5 percent from the field. Earned second-team all-state honors and first-team all-region honors as a junior. Spencers abilities were not limited to the basketball court as he was a four-year letterwinner in tennis, claiming the men's doubles state championship in 1998 and finishing third in mixed doubles in 1997.
, serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon his return, he became one of the Big West Conference
's best players.
Nelson had a stellar career as an Aggie and was named to the Utah State University All-Century Team while still playing for Utah State
.
. However, he was invited to try out for the Utah Jazz
. He was an immediate fan favorite because of his success at Utah State. Despite playing well, Nelson was not chosen for the final roster, but was immediately offered a spot playing for GHP Bamberg
in Germany
. In 2006, instead of seeing if he'd make the final roster for the Jazz, Nelson chose to play for Benetton Treviso
, a team that he made an outstanding performance against while playing with Bamberg in the Euroleague (he scored 23 points, pulled down 20 rebounds
and delivered 7 assists) in a 92-85 home win.
Nelson's good performance helped the team qualify for the top 16 phase, the first ever German
team to accomplish this achievement.
After spending one season with Treviso, mainly coming from the bench, Nelson transferred to Climamio Bologna
, also in Italy.
On 26 January 2010 he stated that GHP Bamberg
(Germany
) was his favourite professional club he played for. He also told a local radio station to send greeings to the fans of his former club.
In July 2010 he signed a contract with CB Gran Canaria
in the Spanish
ACB, where he plays with former Utah State
teammate Jaycee Carroll
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
i naturalized professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, currently playing for CB Gran Canaria
CB Gran Canaria
Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria - Claret, S.A.D. is a professional basketball team that plays in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto. The team is based in the autonomous community's capital and largest city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. It plays at Centro Insular.-History:CB Gran...
in the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
ACB. At 6'8", he plays both forward positions, although he is mainly considered as a power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
. Nelson is married to Julie Clayton Nelson and they currently live in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
High school
Spencer attended Pocatello High SchoolPocatello High School
Pocatello High School is a high school in Pocatello, Idaho commonly known as "Poky." The high school is a very historic fixture of Old Town Pocatello and is claimed to be haunted.-History:The school was constructed during the late spring of 1892...
and was named the Idaho A-1 Player of the Year as a senior in 1998. He averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks per game as a senior. Hit 43.3 percent of his three-pointers and sank 73.0 percent of his free throws as a senior. As a junior, he averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and shot 62.5 percent from the field. Earned second-team all-state honors and first-team all-region honors as a junior. Spencers abilities were not limited to the basketball court as he was a four-year letterwinner in tennis, claiming the men's doubles state championship in 1998 and finishing third in mixed doubles in 1997.
College
After his freshman year, he went on a two-year mission to OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon his return, he became one of the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
's best players.
Nelson had a stellar career as an Aggie and was named to the Utah State University All-Century Team while still playing for Utah State
Utah State Aggies men's basketball
The Utah State Aggies are a Division I men's college basketball team that plays in the Western Athletic Conference, representing Utah State University. The Aggies have enjoyed an extremely high amount of success in recent years under head coach Stew Morrill...
.
Professional Basketball
After graduating in 2005, he was not drafted in the 2005 NBA Draft2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
. However, he was invited to try out for the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. He was an immediate fan favorite because of his success at Utah State. Despite playing well, Nelson was not chosen for the final roster, but was immediately offered a spot playing for GHP Bamberg
GHP Bamberg
Brose Baskets is a German professional basketball club that is based in Bamberg, Franconia. The club competes in the German League and the Euroleague. The club's home arena is Stechert Arena, formerly known as Jako Arena.-History:...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. In 2006, instead of seeing if he'd make the final roster for the Jazz, Nelson chose to play for Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
, a team that he made an outstanding performance against while playing with Bamberg in the Euroleague (he scored 23 points, pulled down 20 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
and delivered 7 assists) in a 92-85 home win.
Nelson's good performance helped the team qualify for the top 16 phase, the first ever German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
team to accomplish this achievement.
After spending one season with Treviso, mainly coming from the bench, Nelson transferred to Climamio Bologna
Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna is an Legadue Basket professional basketball club that is based in Bologna. It's currently sponsored by Conad.-History:...
, also in Italy.
On 26 January 2010 he stated that GHP Bamberg
GHP Bamberg
Brose Baskets is a German professional basketball club that is based in Bamberg, Franconia. The club competes in the German League and the Euroleague. The club's home arena is Stechert Arena, formerly known as Jako Arena.-History:...
(Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) was his favourite professional club he played for. He also told a local radio station to send greeings to the fans of his former club.
In July 2010 he signed a contract with CB Gran Canaria
CB Gran Canaria
Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria - Claret, S.A.D. is a professional basketball team that plays in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto. The team is based in the autonomous community's capital and largest city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. It plays at Centro Insular.-History:CB Gran...
in the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
ACB, where he plays with former Utah State
Utah State Aggies men's basketball
The Utah State Aggies are a Division I men's college basketball team that plays in the Western Athletic Conference, representing Utah State University. The Aggies have enjoyed an extremely high amount of success in recent years under head coach Stew Morrill...
teammate Jaycee Carroll
Jaycee Carroll
Jaycee Don Carroll is an American professional basketball player. While playing for the Utah State University Aggies, he was best known for his scoring prowess, shooting ability, range, and endurance. He has the 4th highest 3 point field goal percentage, 14th most 3 pointers made, and 52nd most...
.
College
- 2002-03 Big West Player of the Week (1/13/03)
- 2002-03 Utah State Most Inspirational Player
- 2002-03 Academic All-Big West
- 2002-03 Big West Hustle Player of the Year
- 2002-03 All-Big West Honorable Mention
- 2003-04 Big West Player of the Week (1/12/04)
- 2003-04 Utah State Most Inspirational Player
- 2003-04 Multiple Sclerosis Society Utah State Chapter Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year
- 2003-04 Academic All-Big West
- 2003-04 Big West Hustle Player of the Year
- 2003-04 Big West Second Team All-Conference
- 2004-05 Big West Player of the Week (12/20/04)
- 2004-05 Big West Player of the Week (1/31/05)
- 2004-05 Big West Player of the Week (2/7/05)
- 2004-05 Utah State Most Inspirational Player
- 2004-05 Cecil Baker Most Valuable Player
- 2004-05 Utah State Male Athlete of the Year
- 2004-05 Utah State Big West Scholar-Athlete
- 2004-05 Big West All-Tournament Team
- 2004-05 Big West First Team All-Conference
- 2004-05 Big West Hustle Player of the Year
- 2004-05 United States Basketball Writer's Association All District 8 Team
- 2004-05 CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Player of the Year