_(cropped).jpg) Nelson with theNew Orleans Pelicans in 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Delaware Blue Coats | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | General manager | ||||||||||||||
| League | NBA G League | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1982-02-09)February 9, 1982 (age 43) Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Chester (Chester, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Saint Joseph's (2000–2004) | ||||||||||||||
| NBA draft | 2004: 1st round, 20th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Selected by theDenver Nuggets | |||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2004–2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Position | Point guard | ||||||||||||||
| Number | 14, 28, 1, 41 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| 2004–2014 | Orlando Magic | ||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Dallas Mavericks | ||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Boston Celtics | ||||||||||||||
| 2015–2017 | Denver Nuggets | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Career NBA statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Points | 9,940 (11.3 ppg) | ||||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 2,595 (3.0 rpg) | ||||||||||||||
| Assists | 4,508 (5.1 apg) | ||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com  | |||||||||||||||
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Jameer Lamar Nelson Sr.[1] (born February 9, 1982) is an American former professionalbasketball player who serves as general manager for theDelaware Blue Coats of theNBA G League. He playedcollege basketball for theSaint Joseph's Hawks, where he was namednational college player of the year in 2004. Drafted 20th overall in the2004 NBA draft, Nelson spent the first ten years of his NBA career with theOrlando Magic. In 2009, he was named anAll-Star and made an appearance in theNBA Finals with the Magic. He has also played for theDallas Mavericks,Boston Celtics,Denver Nuggets,New Orleans Pelicans andDetroit Pistons.
Nelson attendedChester High School inChester, Pennsylvania and was a letterman in basketball. In 2000, he helped lead his team to the PIAA AAAA State championship.
Nelson began his play atSaint Joseph's University in the 2000–01 season. He had a breakout freshman season in which he was named unanimous National Freshman of the Year. During his junior season in2002–03, he averaged 19.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game. He declared for the2003 NBA draft, but later decided to remain for his senior season.
Nelson led theSaint Joseph's Hawks to a 27–0 regular season record in 2003–04. The Hawks' first loss came in theAtlantic 10 tournament to Xavier. Nelson and junior guardDelonte West formed what was largely considered the nation's best backcourt, helping the Hawks earn a #1 seed in theNCAA tournament. They advanced to theElite Eight and were within seconds of theFinal Four beforeOklahoma State Cowboys'John Lucas III hit athree-pointer with only a few seconds remaining (after the make, Nelson dribbled up the court and had a chance to tie the game, but his 15-foot shot fell short). Saint Joseph's finished with a 30–2 record, the best in the university's history. Nelson averaged 20.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. He received theLowe's Senior CLASS Award his final year, recognizing him as the nation's top senior men's basketball player. He left the Hawks as the best player in the program's history, as its all-time leader in scoring (2,094 points), assists (714), and steals (256). Nelson's number was retired by the university on April 23, 2004.[2]
Because of his extraordinary accomplishments as a senior, Nelson won the 2004Wooden Award, the 2004Naismith Award, the 2004Bob Cousy Award, the Rupp Trophy, theOscar Robertson Trophy and many more accolades, including being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Nelson was the firstAtlantic 10 athlete to be on the cover of the magazine sinceMark Macon in 1988.
Nelson was selected with the 20th overall pick in the2004 NBA draft by theDenver Nuggets, and was subsequently traded to theOrlando Magic for a 2005 first-round draft pick. Though many speculated he would be a top 10 pick, he fell to number 20, and the Magic were able to acquire both Nelson andDwight Howard in the same draft.
As a rookie, Nelson served as the primary backup to the Magic's All-Star point guardSteve Francis. Due to Nelson's impressive play, the Magic moved Francis to shooting guard to make room for Nelson to start at point guard.[3] He was named to theNBA All-Rookie Second Team, and garneredRookie of the Year consideration.[4]
On February 22, 2006, the Magic dealt Francis to theNew York Knicks, paving the way for Nelson to become the long-term starting point guard of Orlando.[5] Nelson's play improved with the mid-season trade of Francis, finishing the season with averages of 14.6 points and 5 assists per game on 48.3% field goal shooting.
Thefollowing year, Nelson helped lead the Magic back into the postseason for the first time since 2003. He averaged 14.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game during the NBA playoffs, however the Magic were ultimately swept by the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.
During the 2008 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk Contest, Nelson assisted teammateDwight Howard on several of his dunks, including the famous Superman dunk.That year, the Magic once again made the playoffs, defeating the Toronto Raptors in the first round before falling to the Pistons in the second round. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game through the playoffs, helping Orlando to their first playoff series win in 12 years.
Nelson set career highs in points, steals, and shooting percentages during the2008–09 NBA season. He, along with teammates Dwight Howard andRashard Lewis, were selected to play in the2009 NBA All-Star Game.[6] However, a tornlabrum in Nelson's right shoulder, a potential season-ending injury, forced him to miss the game. Nelson was averaging 16.7 points per game and 5.4 assists at the time.[7] After a four-month recovery, Nelson returned for theNBA Finals with the controversial decision byStan Van Gundy for allowing him to play in heavy minutes by limitingRafer Alston playing,[8] which led the team into demise as the Magic were defeated by the Lakers in five games.[9]
On November 16, Nelson suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, and hadarthroscopic surgery to repair his knee.[10] He returned to action on December 21.[11] Nelson and the Magic again surged into the playoffs with their third straightSoutheast Division title, sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks before falling to the Boston Celtics in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. He averaged 19 points and 4.8 assists per game in Orlando's 14 playoff games.
On March 18, 2011, Nelson made a game winning buzzer beater against the Denver Nuggets to secure an 85–82 victory for Orlando.[12][13] On April 10, 2011, Nelson's last-second three-pointer was ruled "no basket", and the Magic lost to the Chicago Bulls 102–99.[14]
Nelson andDwight Howard, who were close friends since their rookie seasons, were on opposite sides of a trade that sent Rashard Lewis to Washington in exchange forGilbert Arenas (Nelson considered Lewis one of the team's leaders while Howard reportedly pushed management into making the trade).[15] Their relationship was further strained when Howard publicly stated his desire to play with a superstar point guard likeDeron Williams orChris Paul,[16] and was reportedly the driving force behind the firing of coachStan Van Gundy. Howard eventually forced a trade to the Lakers in the 2012 offseason. Despite this, Nelson re-signed with the Magic on a three-year deal.[17]
On February 23, 2014, Nelson scored his 8020th point, passing Shaquille O'Neal for fourth place on the Magic's all-time scoring list.[18]
On June 30, 2014, he was waived by the Magic after 10 seasons with the team.[19][20]
On July 24, 2014, Nelson signed a two-year, $5.6 million contract with theDallas Mavericks.[21][22] He appeared in 23 games for the Mavericks and averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 assists per game.
On December 18, 2014, Nelson was traded, along withJae Crowder,Brandan Wright, a 2015 first-round pick, a 2016 second-round pick and a $12.9 million trade exception, to theBoston Celtics in exchange forRajon Rondo andDwight Powell.[23] In six games for Boston, Nelson averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. In his second game with Boston, Nelson returned to Orlando for the first time since leaving for Dallas as a free agent.
On January 13, 2015, Nelson was traded to theDenver Nuggets in exchange forNate Robinson.[24] On June 26, 2015, Nelson opted out of the remaining year of his contract with the Nuggets to become a free agent.[25]
On August 7, 2015, Nelson re-signed with the Nuggets.[26]
On October 18, 2017, Nelson was waived by the Nuggets.[27]
On October 22, 2017, Nelson signed with theNew Orleans Pelicans.[28]
On February 1, 2018, Nelson was traded, along withÖmer Aşık,Tony Allen and a protected first-round pick, to theChicago Bulls in exchange forNikola Mirotić and a 2018 second-round pick. In addition, Chicago will have the right to swap its 2021 second-round pick with New Orleans' own 2021 second-round pick.[29] Seven days later, he was traded to theDetroit Pistons in exchange forWillie Reed and future second-round draft considerations.[30]
Nelson's final NBA game was played on March 13, 2018, in a 79–110 loss to theUtah Jazz. In his final game, Nelson played for 26 minutes and recorded 4 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal but no points.
On November 11, 2020, theDelaware Blue Coats of theNBA G League named Nelson as the assistant general manager.[31]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Saint Joseph's | 33 | 33 | 33.8 | .461 | .373 | .820 | 4.0 | 6.5 | 1.7 | .1 | 12.5 |
| 2001–02 | Saint Joseph's | 30 | 30 | 35.5 | .438 | .359 | .762 | 4.8 | 6.3 | 1.3 | .0 | 14.4 |
| 2002–03 | Saint Joseph's | 30 | 30 | 34.9 | .437 | .339 | .772 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 2.2 | .2 | 19.7 |
| 2003–04 | Saint Joseph's | 32 | 32 | 33.9 | .475 | .390 | .792 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 2.8 | .0 | 20.6 |
| Career | 125 | 125 | 34.5 | .454 | .365 | .786 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 2.0 | .1 | 16.8 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Orlando | 79 | 21 | 20.4 | .455 | .312 | .682 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .0 | 8.7 |
| 2005–06 | Orlando | 62 | 33 | 28.8 | .483 | .424 | .779 | 2.9 | 4.9 | 1.1 | .1 | 14.6 |
| 2006–07 | Orlando | 77 | 77 | 30.3 | .430 | .335 | .828 | 3.1 | 4.3 | .9 | .1 | 13.0 |
| 2007–08 | Orlando | 69 | 62 | 28.4 | .469 | .416 | .828 | 3.5 | 5.6 | .9 | .1 | 10.9 |
| 2008–09 | Orlando | 42 | 42 | 31.2 | .503 | .453 | .887 | 3.5 | 5.4 | 1.2 | .1 | 16.7 |
| 2009–10 | Orlando | 65 | 64 | 28.6 | .449 | .381 | .845 | 3.0 | 5.4 | .7 | .0 | 12.6 |
| 2010–11 | Orlando | 76 | 76 | 30.5 | .446 | .401 | .802 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | .0 | 13.1 |
| 2011–12 | Orlando | 57 | 57 | 29.9 | .427 | .377 | .807 | 3.2 | 5.7 | .7 | .1 | 11.9 |
| 2012–13 | Orlando | 56 | 56 | 35.3 | .392 | .341 | .873 | 3.7 | 7.4 | 1.3 | .1 | 14.7 |
| 2013–14 | Orlando | 68 | 68 | 32.0 | .394 | .348 | .857 | 3.4 | 7.0 | .8 | .1 | 12.1 |
| 2014–15 | Dallas | 23 | 23 | 25.4 | .374 | .369 | .875 | 2.7 | 4.1 | .7 | .1 | 7.3 |
| 2014–15 | Boston | 6 | 1 | 20.2 | .220 | .200 | .667 | 2.8 | 5.5 | 1.2 | .0 | 4.8 |
| 2014–15 | Denver | 34 | 5 | 20.6 | .450 | .354 | .579 | 1.9 | 3.7 | .7 | .1 | 9.6 |
| 2015–16 | Denver | 39 | 15 | 26.6 | .368 | .299 | .857 | 2.9 | 4.9 | .6 | .1 | 7.7 |
| 2016–17 | Denver | 75 | 40 | 27.3 | .444 | .388 | .714 | 2.6 | 5.1 | .7 | .1 | 9.2 |
| 2017–18 | New Orleans | 43 | 0 | 20.9 | .410 | .364 | .765 | 2.2 | 3.6 | .5 | .1 | 5.1 |
| 2017–18 | Detroit | 7 | 0 | 16.6 | .282 | .071 | 1.000 | 1.1 | 3.3 | .6 | .1 | 3.7 |
| Career | 878 | 641 | 27.9 | .436 | .368 | .810 | 3.0 | 5.1 | .9 | .1 | 11.3 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Orlando | 4 | 4 | 32.3 | .420 | .357 | .909 | 3.0 | 3.3 | .8 | .0 | 14.3 |
| 2008 | Orlando | 10 | 10 | 33.3 | .504 | .488 | .757 | 4.1 | 4.7 | .3 | .2 | 16.2 |
| 2009 | Orlando | 5 | 0 | 18.0 | .348 | .167 | .500 | 1.4 | 2.8 | .2 | .0 | 3.8 |
| 2010 | Orlando | 14 | 14 | 34.2 | .479 | .393 | .823 | 3.6 | 4.8 | 1.0 | .0 | 19.0 |
| 2011 | Orlando | 6 | 6 | 36.0 | .378 | .231 | .786 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.0 | .0 | 13.2 |
| 2012 | Orlando | 5 | 5 | 36.4 | .392 | .320 | .750 | 3.8 | 6.6 | .8 | .2 | 15.6 |
| Career | 44 | 39 | 32.5 | .445 | .372 | .792 | 3.5 | 4.6 | .8 | .1 | 15.0 | |
On August 30, 2007, Nelson's father, Floyd "Pete" Nelson, was reported missing after disappearing at his Chestertugboat repair shop located along the docks of theDelaware River at Front Street and Highland Avenue. Authorities said no one saw his father fall into the water. Nelson arrived at the search scene the next morning. On September 2, 2007, Floyd Nelson's body was found floating in the Delaware River. His death was ruled accidental.[32]
He has a tattoo on his back that saysAll Eyes On Me, and another one that saysAccomplish Everything Without Fear.[33]
On July 5, 2008, he married long-time girlfriend, Imani Tillery. He has one son from a previous relationship,Jameer Jr., who was a guard forTCU.[34]
