The Olds College Broncos men’s basketball team has made its first addition for the 2019-20 season, signing guard Ben Nelson out of Holy Trinity Academy in Okotoks.
The 6-1 Nelson’s familiarity with Broncos head coach Mike Stevens — particularly through the Genesis Elite AAU program in Calgary over the last four years — was a major part of the appeal in choosing Olds College to begin his post-secondary career.
“I respect and admire him as a coach, and getting the chance to play and develop under his leadership is tremendous to me,” said Nelson, who will enter the college's business management program in the fall.
Another factor in his decision was the ability to remain in Alberta.
“Being close to my family in Calgary is a bonus, and playing in the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) South gives me the chance to continue to play in front of them at a collegiate level,” he said.
Stevens is excited to continue his partnership with Nelson at the ACAC level.
“His shooting will have an immediate impact for us,” he said. “He is young and continually developing his game, and I look forward to pushing his limits as a player.
“As we add more talented and high character student-athletes into the Bronco family, Ben will be a positive influence.”
Nelson has a proven scorer’s touch, scoring more than 1,000 points during his time at Holy Trinity en route to earning all-star selections at both the Bishop Grandin and Falcons Classic tournaments, along with most valuable player honours at the Father Troy Classic this year.
He is also strong in the classroom, earning honours with distinction each of the last two years, and honours with highest distinction in the four years before that.
Nelson is excited about getting started in Olds.
“With nine returning players, there will be strong chemistry on the floor,” he said. “I believe we will play a very fast transition game, which will be exciting to watch.”
The Broncos will begin their 2019-20 campaign on Saturday, Oct. 19 as they travel to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre to face the Red Deer College Kings at 8 p.m. before welcoming the St. Mary’s University Lightning to the Ralph Klein Centre for their home opener on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.
Geordie Carragher is an athletics information officer for Broncos Athletics.
