Prospect Spotlight: Grant Nelson (2021)
Pella sophomore Grant Nelson put his name on the map earlier this month when he nailed a game-winning 3-point shot against ADM. A deeper look reveals he’s more than a shining moment, but one of the better sophomores in Iowa.
Nelson has helped the Dutch to a nine-game win streak, and is a big reason why they’re PHIA’s 4th-ranked 3A team.
“I definitely thought coming into this year I would be a role player, and as the season has progressed I feel like I’ve progressed into a better player,” said Nelson. “Coach (Derek) Schulte has put so much trust in me and every time I step out on that floor I’m confident.”
Nelson and the Dutch started the season with a loss to Gilbert, then would become 2-2 through the first four games. That’s when the winning started, and according to Nelson, they’re a supremely confident bunch.
“Gilbert was a good team for us to get challenged by, and it showed us where we were at. And after that we figured out what we could do. We found our strength with shooting and our depth off the bench,” said Nelson, who’s averaging 7.5 points per game this season.
“We know what we’re capable of, we just have to keep it up. And we know where we can get to.”
Also a golfer, Nelson says he focuses on that in the spring, but he also plays with Pella teams in the offseason, and he’ll occasionally play an AAU weekend with different club teams if they ask.
“I definitely keep basketball in my mind (in the offseason), and I keep working out for that,” said Nelson.
For now, the goal is to advance as far as possible with this red-hot Dutch team. In the process, Nelson could begin to see some more attention come his way.
“The ultimate goal for the school team is to win the Little Hawkeye Conference and make a state tournament, which will be very hard to do,” he said.
“Going into summer, I just want get better. And whatever pops up for me, I just hope that coaches can notice my hard work and dedication.”