Scouting Report for Brooklyn Nets Undrafted Free Agent Signing Grant Nelson

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent Grant Nelson after he went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft.

After dominating as a junior for North Dakota State in 2022-23, Grant Nelson transferred to Alabama and the SEC, where his impact was tempered a bit. Although he played a more limited role, Nelson still showed his ability to impact games as a rebounder, defender and finisher inside.

If he focuses on those things and improves as a jump-shooter, he may be able to carve out an NBA role for himself.

Essential Facts and Stats

College: Alabama | Position: PF | Height: 6'10" | Weight: 230 | Age: 23 | Wingspan: 7'0" | PPG: 11.5 | RPG: 7.6 | APG: 1.6 | BPG: 1.2 | SPG: 0.5 | FG%: 52.2

Realistic Pro Comparison: Larry Nance Jr.

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Nelson has a chance to play the Larry Nance Jr. role, which values athleticism and energy from the power forward spot.

He hasn't made enough strides with his skill level, but he can pick up easy the basket, crash the glass and make hustle plays.

If he eventually develops a respectable outside shot as Nance did, his staying power will certainly improve.

Strengths

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Coordination: Nelson may be 6'10", but he has good body control and can move like a wing with the ball in his hands or on the break.

Shot-Blocking: Nelson doesn't profile as a bona fide defensive anchor or anything, but he is a decent weak-side shot-blocker with good awareness on that end of the floor.

Touch: Nelson's free-throw percentage fell off in 2024-25, but he shot 81.3 percent from the stripe in 2023-24 and has good touch in the paint.

Weaknesses

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Outside Shooting: Over his last three college seasons, Nelson took 2.9 threes per game, but he made only 27.9 percent of those attempts. At Alabama, he shot only 26.6 percent from deep. Surviving at the NBA level will almost certainly require some development there.

Athleticism: Nelson's athleticism often looked solid against NCAA competition, but he was near the bottom of the combine in max vertical leap and could have trouble keeping up with NBA athletes.

Age: The developmental runway is a lot shorter for a 23-year-old who played five years in college, and Nelson still has plenty to develop.