"Grant Nelson's Homecoming: From Alabama to North Dakota"
Back to His Roots
Nelson hails from Devils Lake, a place just 88 miles from the University of North Dakota. His connection to the area runs deep, and he's excited to be returning. Before transferring to Alabama, he played for UND's in-state rival, North Dakota State. In fact, he once dropped 36 points on the Fighting Hawks, who were his only other Division I offer out of high school. This history adds an extra layer of significance to his homecoming.His family is also looking forward to the trip. With nine siblings and a large extended family, there's a lot of excitement in the air. Nelson received a link to send his own tickets to them, showing just how much he values their presence.
The team's trip to North Dakota is a change of pace for the rest of the Crimson Tide. While it was 71 degrees in Tuscaloosa when the flight was scheduled to leave, it was a chilly 24 degrees in Grand Forks. The predicted high for Wednesday was only 16 degrees, with a low of 2. But for Nelson, it's a chance to reconnect with his roots and experience a part of his life he left behind.
Coach Oats and the Schedule
UA head coach Nate Oats and his staff did their best to help Nelson out by scheduling this homecoming trip. It's a gesture that shows their support for their player and allows him to share this special moment with his family.For the Crimson Tide, the game against the Fighting Hawks comes after a brutal stretch of the schedule. They played seven non-conference games against potential NCAA tournament teams, including the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Now, they face North Dakota State and South Dakota State in Tuscaloosa before a historically tough SEC schedule begins with Oklahoma on Jan. 4.
Oats is well aware of the challenges ahead. "The SEC's the best conference in, it looks like college basketball history from some of the stuff I'm reading," he said. "So, no easy games. We got three games to get better at a lot of things and this will be the first one of those three."
The Game and Beyond
Alabama and North Dakota are scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. CT Wednesday. The game will be aired on the CBS Sports Network, giving fans across the country a chance to watch Nelson in action.For Nelson, this is more than just a game. It's a chance to show his hometown what he's accomplished and to give back to the people who supported him. And for the Crimson Tide, it's a chance to start the new year on a high note.
As the team prepares for the game, they'll be thinking about Nelson and his connection to North Dakota. It's a story that goes beyond basketball and touches the hearts of everyone involved.