Alabama forward Grant Nelson 'fired up' for his return to North Dakota

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Why is Alabama playing at North Dakota on Wednesday?

The Crimson Tide will travel to Grand Forks, North Dakota to take on the Fighting Hawks in its 11th non-conference game of the 2024-25 season. The matchup stands out on Alabama’s tough slate of games before SEC play due to its unusual nature, but the decision to play at UND came about because of Grant Nelson, who returned for his fifth and final season.

Nelson is a native of Devils Lake, North Dakota, about an hour and a half east of the University of North Dakota’s campus. Wednesday evening’s game will be a homecoming for Nelson.

“We obviously did it for Grant,” head coach Nate Oats said. “We try to take care of our guys when we can. There’s obviously no big-time, high-major programs up there, but they’ve got some pretty good basketball. North Dakota’s done a good job. I think Coach (Paul) Sather has done a pretty good job. They’ve won a decent amount of games in his years there.

“They helped us out with the game, called us. We’re playing in their arena, so I’m sure it’ll be packed. I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing this is the highest-ranked team they’ve had coming into that arena. It’ll be good. We obviously did it to get Grant playing back close to family. Hopefully a lot of Grant’s family and friends and people he went to school with … will be there and we’ll get a decent crowd for us and for him.”

Alabama director of scouting and analysis Adam Bauman was the one who informed Nelson of the scheduling news, which not only excited the fifth-year senior but those closest to him.

“It shows how much this coaching staff cares about their players, and I really appreciate that,” Nelson said. “I know my family does and everyone back in North Dakota, they’re really excited about this one.”

Nelson is expecting a big turnout on Wednesday, Dec. 18 (8 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network).

“I’ve got nine siblings and they’ve all got families, so it’s a crazy amount of people,” Nelson said. “(UND) gave me a link of my own tickets to send to them. Grateful for that.

“I could still use tons, really. There’s people asking my parents. There’s people asking everybody. But they treated me well. They gave me a ton. I think I’ve got enough for close family and a lot of people from my hometown.”

Before Alabama, Nelson spent three years at North Dakota State. There, he faced North Dakota seven times, and NDSU was 6-1 in those games. Nelson averaged 16.9 points against the UND and recorded a career-high 36 points in a win at home (91-75) on Jan. 27, 2022. He will face the Fighting Hawks one last time in his final season of eligibility at Alabama.

North Dakota was Nelson’s first D-I offer out of high school and his only offer other than NDSU, where he began his career. He has fond memories of Fighting Hawks hoops from his youth.

“I always liked their basketball program since I was a kid,” Nelson said. “I looked up to those guys. I’d go to their camp all the time. I just have so much love for North Dakota and what they’re doing. It’s good to go back and see all the fans, all the people who have supported me my whole career. It’s gonna be great to bring a game to them.”

But the Crimson Tide senior isn’t feeling any pressure about his return to his home state.

“I’ve played there a ton at UND, so I’m kind of used to it,” Nelson said. “Every time I play there, it’s like an hour and a half from my hometown, so there’s a lot of my family there. 

“It’s kind of bringing me back to when I did play at North Dakota State and having a lot of people from my hometown or people at UND who already knew me there at the game. It’s definitely gonna be ramped up a little, but I’m not nervous. I’m excited.”

Oats could see the excitement in Nelson in UA’s film session before departing Tuscaloosa.

“He’s fired up,” Oats said. “We put a graphic up in video today of the last time he was at this place. I think he dropped 36 points on them. He had some success there. Now, he’s probably got a little bit more balanced team he’s running in there with this time. 

“I’m not sure he’s gonna match the 36, but I think he’s excited.”

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