Scouting and Highlights: Colton Nelson (2019)
Colten Nelson, a 6’3″ guard out of Sacred Heart Academy, is one of the best shooters in the state. Last year, he averaged 20 points per game as a sophomore on varsity. In the spring, he ran his AAU ball with HoopGrind, but missed half the AAU season due to a mission trip. This year, Nelson holds the keys to his Sacred Heart team and will look to expand on last year’s success.
Here’s my take on Nelson’s game:
Strengths:
Shooting – Through and through, Nelson is a sniper. He has all the tools coaches look for in a shooter. He’s got good mechanics, as his shot is smooth and his release is quick. He can hit shots off the catch or dribble and is comfortable doing either. He has the range – he can hit out to several feet behind the three point line. Also, he has that explosive ability to catch fire and hit multiple threes in a matter of minutes.
Size – While 6’3″ is by no means huge, Nelson played the point for a majority of the season last year. Due to his elite shooting ability, many coaches may use him as a 2-guard to run him off screens for an open look. Regardless, Nelson already has the height to play at the college level with a solid possibility to keep growing.
Handles – Nelson is by no means an “ankle-breaker” or a guy you see getting mixtapes made of his handles. However, he has a good control of the ball that allows him to get where he needs to go without getting ripped. This allows him to play the point just as well as the 2. It’s important to note that he does have a couple dribble moves in his arsenal that he can use to break a defender down 1-on-1.
IQ – It’s evident that Nelson has been around the game for quite some time. He does a good job at figuring out his role on a team and doing it to the best of his ability. I’ve seen him assume the role of a primary scorer and take a majority of the shots, as well as take the job as just a shooter/role player, depending on what’s needed from his team. This skill is something that a lot of players lack – the ability to put the team’s needs over their personal agenda.
Areas For Development:
Strength – Simply put, Nelson is too skinny. Over the summer, he added 15 pounds of muscle to reach a current weight of around 145-150. This is still too light given his height. With this being said, Nelson is young and has plenty of time to fill out before college starts. It’s clear that he understands and has addressed this area for development, but it’s important that he stays consistent with it.
Defense – A combination of greater strength and quicker feet will help Nelson. In order to play in college, he will need to become a better defender. Again, Nelson hasn’t fully filled out his frame and reached his peak athletically – time will tell if Nelson has what it takes to become a college-ready defender.