Nate Oats evaluates the progression of Grant Nelson

Grant Nelson is taking steps forward and playing better as part of the lineup for Alabama. That’s due to development but, also, a change of position that has allowed him to be fully unlocked.

Nate Oats spoke about Nelson’s recent growth during his postgame press conference after the Crimson Tide won 109-88 over LSU on Saturday. He feels like Nelson’s improvement has come since they decided to utilize him and his skillset more as a versatile center rather than at a forward spot.

“He has been a lot better,” said Oats. “We’re playing him more minutes at the five. I think he’s a little more comfortable there.”

That switch to center has brought out some of the best aspects of Nelson’s game. That’s especially so on the offensive end where he can score it inside or on the drive, by getting to the charity stripe, and from three.

“He’s more aggressive, a little more physical,” said Oats. “He makes free throws – he’s at 100% again tonight.”

“Very skilled,” Oats continued. “Sometimes you need him to be a little more aggressive. I thought he made some aggressive plays tonight, though. He kind of got down in the post and went at guys. We need him to be a little more like that and just continue to take open threes. I mean, if he’s open from three? I’m good with him taking it. He’s shooting less, which is probably better and means he’s attacking down hill a little bit more.”

Nelson scored a dozen against the Tigers this weekend by making three of four shots and making all six of his free-throw attempts. After a slower start to the new year and conference play, he has ramped it up over the last four with averages of 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 53.1% from the field.

However, Oats also had some other aspects that he wants Nelson to continue to improve in moving forward. Both are parts of his defensive game as he wants him to be more impactful on that end, including with his work on the glass.

“Defensively? He has got to get better on defense, though, for us,” said Oats. “It was not one of his better defensive games on that end – for sure.

“I think, in 24 minutes, he could probably get more than five rebounds for us. So we’re going to need him to step up a little bit better for us Wednesday at Georgia,” Oats said.

Nelson is a player that many were excited about in Tuscaloosa after he transferred in from North Dakota State. Now, through 20 games with the Tide, he’s living up to more and more of that billing because of how he is playing for Alabama as of late.

“He’s an unbelievable kid, all about the team,” said Oats.