Recruiting Spotlight: Evan Nelson (2020)
When you have a successful summer session in terms of not only showcasing your skills, but also winning on the National stage, you usually start to receive more attention in the fall from colleges. Evan Nelson is a prime example…
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Continue ReadingWhen you have a successful summer session in terms of not only showcasing your skills, but also winning on the National stage, you usually start to receive more attention in the fall from colleges. Evan Nelson is a prime example of that.
I had a chance to catch up with the 2020 guard that was often the engine for Powerhouse’s impressive 15u Black team. Over the past month, he has seen an increase in recruitment, including an offer from The University of New Mexico, which he picked up last night. When asked what he learned about playing on the National stage this summer, he spoke about the importance of being himself and just playing his game. “Don’t let the pressure, the heat of the moment, or coaches watching you phase your game” said the young point guard. This mindset is evident when you watch him play in big games against other highly rated teams and players, as he is constantly in attack mode and makes big plays during crucial moments. While he acknowledged that it wasn’t easy in the sense that “the worse thing was probably us having the target on our back every game”, which is something that he will get used to as he gains notoriety over the next few years, he really enjoyed the experience and grew because of it. Playing against top teams in front of college coaches was his favorite aspect of the summer.
While New Mexico stands as his only offer at the moment, receiving a scholarship offer from a perennial NCAA tournament team and Mountain West contender is no small feat. To do it before you have played a single high school game, on the other hand, is even more notable. As more schools are surely to join the race, they should know that Nelson seeks somewhere “I can become part of a family and have my teammates become my brothers”.
As for this upcoming season, he will be playing for Marana Mountain View, where he will be depended on to be a highly productive player from day one. Evan plays a good floor game as a point guard and will be relied upon to do so this season, but, as most freshmen typically do, will have his ups and downs as he learns to compete at the varsity level. He listed consistency as the main thing that he needs to improve, which will come with experience.
Be prepared to watch this young guard improve a team that went 13-11 last season, and mature as a player along the way. Evan Nelson is a name you will be hearing for the next four years along with the likes of Nico Mannion and Jason Harris in a talented 2020 class for the state of Arizona.