Kristen Nelson is recipient of Katy Simonds Women’s Basketball Scholarship
01/02/2019 | 3:33:00 | Women's Basketball
Nelson has always been an early starter – during her freshman year at SIU, she started six games and even had a hot streak of eight-straight made 3-pointers during the span of Dec. 9 – Jan. 6.
"I played AAU basketball from the fourth grade until junior year in high school," said Nelson.
Along with her early start in basketball, she has always been a student first. She received the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award during the 2017-18 school year and Honor Roll in 2016-17.
"My athletic scholarship means so much to me because it has gotten me places I never imagined I would be," said Nelson. "My scholarship grants me great opportunities through academics."
"Nelly is a gifted young lady on and off the court," said women's basketball coach Cindy Stein. "She is very serious about becoming the best version of herself academically as well as athletically and socially."
In her sophomore year, she began to fill the stat sheets for the Salukis. She started 18 out of the 31 games and set career highs in points (14), assists (8), and steals (4) during that season.
SIU has been a home away from home for Nelson.
"During my visit to campus, I immediately fell in love with SIU and the women's basketball program," said Nelson. "This has been my second home – I love our entire athletic department, my education is top-notch, and I just love the atmosphere."
The atmosphere at SIU has helped Kristen thrive as a current junior at SIU. Recently Kristen was named the MVC Player of the week for her play versus Murray State (Dec. 18) and IUPUI (Dec. 21). During the Murray State game, Kristen scored a career-high 24 points (shooting 80% from the floor). In the IUPUI game, Kristen had 14 points, four assists and two rebounds.
"Nelly will work hard to do all the little things right and pays attention to detail," said coach Stein. "Also she is a great role model for younger kids and a wonderful example for people to emulate."
Kristen will continue to be a model student-athlete for the Salukis.
