BRADFORD – Tyler Nelson turned 30 on Aug. 9. A week later he decided to officially make a career change.
Maybe it was a coincidence?
One of the area’s best ever high school basketball players at Central Catholic, who then became the all-time leading scorer at Fairfield University (2,172 points), followed by seven years of pro basketball, two in the G-League, the rest mostly in Germany, is calling it quits.
At least the playing part.
After signing a contract with a top Polish team earlier in the summer, an opportunity arose at his college alma mater recently. And he decided to take it.
Nelson will become the school’s first Director of NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) and Player Relations for Basketball, essentially the “General Manager” for both the men’s and women’s programs.
Nelson, who was inducted into the Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame in January of 2024, was informed of the new position and interviewed for it. A week ago, he was offered and accepted it.
“I know I could still play,” said Nelson. “The Poland team travels all over Europe. It was a great opportunity to continue playing at high level. In fact that was the plan. But the Fairfield opportunity got me thinking.”
While the pay was good in Europe – the played five seasons in Germany and part of a season in Greece – the time away from family and friends was difficult.
“Last year was such a grind, my fifth full season overseas,” said Nelson. “I was away from my family every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I saw one of my best friends while growing up only three times over the last six years. It took away some of the joy.”
The new “GM” position for the men’s and women’s basketball team, which has cropped up at many Div. 1 universities, focuses on a budget that pays college athletes.
Nelson will be in charge of overseeing the transfer portal as well as tracking student-athletes around the country as possible candidates if they were to enter the portal.
An important part for Nelson was his connection with the current teams too, meeting with the coaches, attending some practices, sitting in on staff meetings, etc.
The men’s program has had a semi-rough go of it recently, with losing seasons six of its last seven years, but has played in three MAAC Tournament championship games over that span. The women’s program is one of the best at the school, going 99-29 the last four years, including three NCAA D1 tourney appearances.
“This is not a coaching position, on the court, but I will offer any thoughts,” said Nelson. “It’s an important job. Most teams lose half of their players every year. I’ve experienced a lot of that with the teams I played on in Germany. Every year was a new year with new players. I look forward to that challenge.”
Nelson cherishes many of basketball memories over the years, leading Central Catholic to the state championship and helping turn Fairfield from below average to playing in the MAAC Tournament championship game as a senior.
In Germany, he helped two different second division teams to the first division, including his all-time greatest basketball moment three years ago when he hit the buzzer-beating three-point before 7,000 home fans that officially put the Rostock Seawolves into the first division for the first time in franchise history.
“Those are game-winning shots you dream of making, a three-pointer at the buzzer for a championship,” said Nelson. “It was just after COVID. The fans were incredible. To help them get to the first division (the following year) was so important to them. That will always stick out for me.”
Ironically, being a GM is oftentimes a long-term goal for most young athletes, being part of putting one’s imprint on helping build a winning, championship program. Count Nelson among those “young athletes.”
“This will be a great experience for me, going to back to my alma mater,” said Nelson, who moved down to Fairfield, Conn. on Friday, “which is extremely committed to winning and being a part of that culture.”
As for his career, which really started under his dad and long-time NBA scout, coach and shooting guru, Jeff Nelson, in the driveway sometime around kindergarten, he leaves it with his head held high.
As a winner.
“I’m proud that I was part of so many teams that had success and always felt I got better every year,” said Nelson. “I believe I left teams and organizations in a better place than when I originally got there. I prided myself on that … I’m at peace.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.