In its Sunday March Madness matchup, Alabama basketball engaged in a fierce contest against St. Mary’s, with a coveted spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. During their 80-66 victory, Crimson Tide standout Grant Nelson achieved a significant personal milestone against the Gaels.
The versatile forward and graduate transfer reached a notable achievement at 8:05 p.m. ET: he secured his 1,000th career rebound, prompting a celebratory update on the Crimson Tide basketball’s social media page.
Reaching 1,000 rebounds at the collegiate level has become increasingly uncommon, largely due to the prevalence of “one-and-done” players and the transfer portal. Nelson faced a challenging start in the 2025 tournament, seeing only seven minutes of play in the game against Robert Morris, mainly due to a knee injury.
Coming to Alabama via the transfer portal, Nelson took a risk on himself and ultimately celebrated this momentous milestone.
Grant Nelson’s Path to Alabama Prior to Facing St. Mary’s
The 6-foot-11 Nelson plays a crucial role in a guard-centric system in Tuscaloosa. Head coach Nate Oats favors a strategy that employs a three-guard lineup, focusing on rapid three-point shooting.
However, Nelson is key in securing rebounds for Oats’ team, having excelled in his duties at the mid-major level.
A native of Devils Lake, North Dakota, Nelson began his collegiate career at North Dakota State, where he quickly established himself as a significant contributor, averaging 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in his freshman year. His stats continued to improve from there.
In his sophomore year at NDSU, he averaged 11.6 PPG and 4.9 rebounds as he earned more playing time. Utilizing his impressive wingspan, Nelson further elevated his performance in his junior season, averaging 9.3 rebounds and delivering 17.9 PPG.
Taking a chance on himself, he moved to SEC territory under the guidance of Oats. Nelson showcased his potential during last year’s Sweet 16, joining the ranks of March Madness legends like Kevin Love and Joakim Noah by notching over 20 points, 10 rebounds, and blocking four shots in a single game. He also experienced his first Final Four appearance with a program that had never achieved that milestone before.
Now, he has officially recorded his 1,000th rebound as an SEC competitor while playing a vital role in keeping the Tide’s season alive.
Image Source: Grant Nelson @ Instagram
