Prospect Spotlight: Jaren Nelson (2019)
Last season for Linn-Mar, 6-foot-4 guard Jaren Nelson averaged 4.1 points per game. Less than a year later, he’s one of just a handful of 2019s which has a Division II offer to his name.
It’s his combination of size and versatility that’s made Nelson a hot prospect on the Eastern side of the state. And he’ll make a high debut in the upcoming 2019 prospect rankings as a result.
“Mostly, I think my biggest strength is my passing vision. I’m also a pretty good shooter; last year for high school, my stats didn’t really back that up, but playing with Quad City Elite this summer, really helped out with that,” said Nelson.
“I also feel like I’m a pretty good defender, I can guard a lot of positions. And I’m pretty versatile on the defensive end.”
Illinois D2 Quincy offered Nelson last weekNelson recently wrapped up his 17U campaign with Quad City Elite, and says his coach used a particular confidence-boosting tactic with him, and it helped a lot.
“We had a really good year, we beat a lot of shoe teams and teams that people don’t really put us in the same conversations with,” said Nelson.
“My coach, Logan Wynn, did a really good job of boosting my confidence in my shot. He told me he would pull me out of the game if I didn’t shoot. And that made me feel really good.”
Now, Nelson looks forward to his senior season with a Lions’ squad that could definitely make a 4A state tourney.
“I think we’re going to have a really good team. We bring back a lot of guys that played minutes for us last year, and we’ll also have a lot of exciting juniors,” said Nelson.
“This year, I’ll be one the leaders and one of the main guys, and I’ll have to work on getting guys going and keeping them motivated.”
There’s a chance that Nelson could head into his senior season still unsigned. Illinois D2 Quincy offered him just last week. But he’s not sure yet where he wants to go, or when he wants to sign.
“Right now, mainly who’s been in contact with me the most has been Quincy and I’ll be going on a visit to Concordia-St. Paul on October 6th. I also get a call from Air Force about every other week. And other than that, it’s a lot of D3s around the area,” said Nelson.
“I don’t really know when I’m going to make my college decision, it’s still kind of early for me. And I don’t necessarily feel pressure to commit and sign right away in November. I’m not opposed to playing my season out and signing in the spring.”
He added: “I just really want to find the right fit. I feel like culture and the feel of the whole program, and the coaching staff, those are all a big deal. And I just want to make sure I find the right fit.”