Nelson a Find for Eastern Washington

Matt Nelson, a well-built 6-8, 215 pound power forward from Sammamish (WA)>>Skyline HS, may have been one of the more unsung players in the state of>>Washington this past season.>>

>>One of the top post players in the state, Nelson had a solid senior year,>>averaging 20.1 points and leading Skyline to the second round of the state 3A>>playoffs, where the Spartans lost to eventual champs Rainier Beach. This>>post-season, he was selected for the Washington All-Stars in the Northwest>>Shootout, where his 14 points and seven rebounds helped spur the team onto>>victory.>>

>>It was a win worthy of redemption for Team Washington, which defeated Team>>Oregon for the first time since 1999.>>

>>"Back home in Seattle, all the newspapers were dogging us," said Nelson. "We>>had something to prove, and we took care of business.">>

>>Nelson does most of his damage in the paint and has the ability to clean up on>>garbage baskets inside. However, he has the ability to step out to the>>perimeter, and during the Northwest Shootout he showed off his outside shot,>>flashing out behind the arc to hit his one and only three-point attempt.>>

>>"I can bang down low and I can shoot outside too," said Nelson. "I've got some>>versatility.">>

>>Nelson signed with Eastern Washington in the fall. He expects to be playing>>mainly in the low post in college. "I'd say the four probably," he said. "That's what I'm looking to play.">>

>But while he will continue to operate mostly inside, he realizes that he still>>needs to work on his perimeter skills.>>

>>"I'm working a lot on my shooting still," he said. "I'm still working on my>>mid-range jumper and my handles.">>

>>Nelson will start getting acclimated to Cheney in the summer, as he plans to>>enroll at EWU for summer school. He plans to major in Business. He's more>>than ready to work for his playing time in the fall.>>

>>"I'm hoping to play, but I have to earn my minutes," he said. "I'm going to>>work hard this off-season and hopefully get some time next year.">>

>>Jed Tai is a senior writer for Hoopville.com.