Zalgiris Kaunas bolstered its frontcourt for the upcoming Top 16 by inking forward Reeves Nelson for the remainder of the season, with an option to extend him for a longer period of time, the club announced Friday.
Nelson (2.03 meters, 20 years old) arrives from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds in 34 NCAA games last season, in which he was chosen to the All-Pac-10 first team.
Nelson is expected to arrive in Kaunas next week.
“He is one of the most promising college basketball players. Not only he can help us a lot on defense but also on offense. He can also play at the small forward position and hit mid-range jumper,” Zalgiris sports director Vitoldas Masalskis said.
“He was a lot of character and the fact that we signed him does not mean that he will take someone else’s spot.”
While in college, Nelson had numerous behavioral issues. UCLA coach Ben Howland eventually decided to dismiss Nelson from the team.
Sheil Nelson, Reeves’ mother, described his son as a boy in a man’s body since her son turned 14.
The player himself is optimistic about his career and is sure to make himself eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft.
Source: Euroleague.net, TalkBasket.net
