Unsung North Dakota State transfer leads Alabama past North Carolina and into the Elite 8

LOS ANGELES – Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats looked down at a box score.

His fourth-seeded Crimson Tide had just upset No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Sweet 16, and next to the name of Alabama forward Grant Nelson were statistics as startling as the game’s outcome.

He had 24 points, 12 rounds and five blocked shots Thursday night during an epic NCAA Tournament performance at Crypto.com Arena.

“I couldn't be happier for Grant,” Oats said. “But did I expect 24, 12 and five?”

Another question begged to be asked. Who is Grant Nelson?

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Until Thursday, he was a guy who'd scored six points in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament. Now he's Alabama's Sweet 16 hero, the 6-11 senior who put the Crimson Tide on his lanky shoulders.

“I'm from a small town, Devils Lake,’’ Nelson said. “Shout-out to all those guys. ...

“Really grew up with everything I could ask for. Playing basketball at the park every day. Had a good high school team.  We didn't go very far many years, but, I mean, they got me to North Dakota State where I stayed three years and entered the (transfer) portal."

Last year he was First Team All-Summit League. Now he's headed to the Elite Eight with the coach who lured him to Alabama. 

“I liked Coach Oats a little bit,'' he said with a grin, "and I gave Alabama a chance and I think it's paying off.’’

Grant Nelson golfs -- sort of

So who is Grant Nelson?

“We're both bad golfers trying to get better,’’ offered Oats, sitting next to Nelson during the postgame press conference. “We've golfed a little bit.  He's trying to teach me how to drive.  Neither one of us are very good.’’

Recently, Nelson was playing basketball about as well as he apparently plays golf.

He's started all 35 games for the Crimson Tide and was the team's third-leading scorer with 11.8 points per game and leading rebounder with 5.6 per game. But during the NCAA Tournament, he managed only three points in Alabama's 109-96 victory over No. 12 seed Charleston and three points in Alabama's 72-61 victory over No. 11 seed Grand Canyon.

But on Thursday, matched up against North Carolina’s 6-11 standout Armando Bacot, Nelson delivered the game of his life.

“I thought he could be this good,’’ Oats said. “Do I say, I thought he would be this good going into the game today?  No because he had been struggling, but I knew what he was capable of when we got him ... 

“He's 6'11", can handle it on pick-and-rolls.  He shot the one 3 when we took the lead (against North Carolina) and that thing was all net.  He's been shooting it really well the last -- we had voluntary shooting two nights ago.’’

Three guys went. Yes, the kid from North Dakota was one of them.

On Thursday, he was 6-for-9 from the floor, made both of his 3-pointer attempts and was 10-for-13 from the free throw line.

The dramatic finish

Who is Grant Nelson?

This is who: The guy stepped to the free throw line with less than a second left. With Alabama clinging to a two-point lead and a chance to seal the victory.

He missed both free throws.

Did he sulk?

Get distracted?

Leave things up to fate?

After the second missed free throw, the ball ended up in the hands of North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram, who tried to heave a miracle, game-winning shot. But it was blocked.

By Nelson, of course. He wore a huge grin as the Alabama faithful roared their delight.

“We've been working for this all season,’’ he said. “But this wasn't our end goal.’’

The Crimson Tide are one victory away from reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history.

For Grant Nelson, the next golf outing with coach Oats can wait.