After securing the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation on Wednesday, Tommy Lloyd and Co. have shifted their sights to the transfer portal. And it did not take long for the Wildcats to secure their first portal pickup of the offseason. On Thursday, Arizona received a commitment from former Harvard guard and Tucson native Evan Nelson. The news was first reported by Pete Nakos of On3.com.
The 6-foot-2 senior point guard played his high school ball at Salpointe Catholic in Tucson before spending the last four years at Harvard. During his career, Nelson averaged 8.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 41.5 percent from the field. After missing his junior season in 2023-24 with an injury, he bounced backed with the best statistical season of his career in 2024-25, averaging 9.1 points (career-high), 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes per game. He shot 45.5 percent from the field, including 40.4 percent from 3-point range as a senior. The captain also earned All-Ivy honors this past season.
Nelson’s return home to the Old Pueblo gives Arizona some much needed depth and experience at point guard off the bench. Jaden Bradley is the clear cut starter for the Wildcats heading into next season, but the loss of Conrad Martinez opened the door for a point guard who can both score and facilitate the offense, while allowing Bradley, who averaged 34.1 minutes per game, to rest and stay healthy down the stretch of the season.
Evan Nelson is the Arizona Wildcats’ first commitment from the transfer portal, but joins an impressive recruiting class featuring five-stars Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Dwayne Aristode, as well as Bryce James. The Wildcats could also look to add a rotational post player for depth from the portal.