Before UCM: Nelson competed at the NCAA Division I level for Campbell University, a member of the Big South Conference...In three seasons with the Camels, Nelson competed in 85 games, starting 39 of those contests...As a sophomore, Nelson played in 32 games with 26 starts, scoring in double-figures eight times...As a junior in 2019-20, Nelson played in 25 games, starting 13, and scoring in double-figures 11 times...He also had 12 games with at least two steals and was third in the Big South averaging 1.6 steals per game.

In High School: Nelson was the South Carolina Class 4-A Player of the Year leading Lower Richland High to a 4-A state championship...As a senior he scored 15 points per game with 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 62% from the floor...He was tabbed one of the top 25 players in South Carolina by the Charlotte Observer.