_by_Sandro_Halank%25E2%2580%2593057.jpg) Pearson withRostock in 2024 | |
| No. 22 – Rostock Seawolves | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small forward |
| League | Basketball Bundesliga |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1997-11-21)November 21, 1997 (age 27) |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Central (Beaumont, Texas) |
| College | Texas State (2016–2020) |
| NBA draft | 2020:undrafted |
| Playing career | 2020–present |
| Career history | |
| 2020–2021 | Chorale Roanne Basket |
| 2021 | Lahti Basketball |
| 2021–2023 | Rostock Seawolves |
| 2023–2024 | CSM Oradea |
| 2024–present | Rostock Seawolves |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Nijal Pearson (born November 21, 1997) is an Americanbasketball player forRostock Seawolves of theBasketball Bundesliga (BBL). He competed in college basketball for theTexas State Bobcats.
Pearson grew up inBeaumont, Texas and attendedCentral High School. As a senior, he averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds and nine assists per game and was named the co-District 22-5A MVP and Class 5A All-State by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.[1][2]
Pearson was a starter at small forward for the Bobcats as a true freshman and averaged 13.3 points (second highest on the team), 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.[3][4] As a sophomore, he led the team with 15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game and was named to the third team all-Sun Belt Conference.[5] Pearson was named first team All-Sun Belt as a junior after averaging 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.[6] He was named the MVP of the 2018 Portland Classic after scoring 33 point in the championship game againstPortland.[7] He became Texas State's all-time leading scorer on January 18, 2020, in a 23-point performance in a win over ULM, breaking Charles Sharp's 60-year-old record of 1,884 points.[8][9] Pearson scored his 2,000th career point againstGeorgia Southern on February 20, 2020.[10] Pearson was named theSun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year as a senior.[11] He averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.[12]
In May 2020, Pearson agreed to terms withChorale Roanne Basket of theLNB Pro A.[13]
On January 30, 2021, he has signed withLahti Basketball of the FinnishKorisliiga.[14]
On August 19, 2021, he has signed withRostock Seawolves of the GermanProA.[15]
On July 31, 2023, he has signed withCSM Oradea of the RomanianLiga Națională.[16]
On September 28, 2024, he signed withRostock Seawolves of theBasketball Bundesliga (BBL) for a second stint.[17]
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Texas State | 36 | 36 | 32.8 | .437 | .346 | .721 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 1.4 | .4 | 13.3 |
| 2017–18 | Texas State | 33 | 32 | 32.6 | .394 | .330 | .709 | 6.0 | 2.4 | 1.3 | .4 | 15.2 |
| 2018–19 | Texas State | 33 | 33 | 33.2 | .421 | .386 | .690 | 5.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 | .2 | 16.4 |
| 2019–20 | Texas State | 31 | 31 | 34.9 | .423 | .353 | .772 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 1.3 | .3 | 19.4 |
| Career | 133 | 132 | 33.4 | .418 | .356 | .726 | 5.6 | 2.2 | 1.3 | .3 | 16.0 | |
Pearson is the son of Stephanie Lartigue-Pearson. He has an older brother, Elijah, while his oldest brother Nico died fromtesticular cancer in 2010.[18] Pearson's girlfriend is Kayla McNutt. She gave birth to the couple's daughter, Nova Lael Pearson, on February 8, 2020. After playing againstAppalachian State inBoone, North Carolina, Pearson took an Uber toCharlotte and took the first flight in the morning to see his newborn girl.[19]