Former St. Joe’s basketball standout Jameer Nelson will join the Philadelphia 76ers in a new coaching and front office role.
After a disappointing 2019-20 season, Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand is looking to reshape the organization’s front office in an effort to bring in new personnel and rebuild the team’s structure. Nelson will be a part of that new trasition.
At St. Joe’s, Nelson was named the 2004 Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year, the Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and led the Hawks to an undefeated 2003-04 regular season.
Following his first round selection in the 2004 NBA draft, where Nelson was selected 20th overall to the Denver Nuggets, he went on to a 14-year playing career, which saw him suit up for the Magic, Mavericks, Celtics, Nuggets, Pelicans and Pistons, and was named to the NBA All-Star team in 2009.
Now, 38-years-old Nelson is getting into the managerial side of the sport and will be joining the Delaware Blue Coats, the G League affiliate of the 76ers, as the team’s new assistant general manager, and will be a member of the team’s scouting department for the upcoming season.
For Nelson, this job will be somewhat of a homecoming, as the Blue Coats currently play home games at the 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware, a mere 17 miles from where Nelson grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Across social media, former St. Joe’s Hawks reached out to congratulate Nelson on his new job within the 76ers organization.
Former teammate and current 76ers assistant coach John Bryant ’04 was one of those who reached out via twitter.
Congrats to my friend @jameernelson on his new position with the @sixers! Excited as you embark on this new journey. I also want to apologize for costing you 100+ assists at @SJUHawks_MBB due to me unfortunately having ‘hands like feet’ https://t.co/zAHtiK2sf8
— John Bryant (@JohnKirkBryant) October 21, 2020
Former men’s basketball Head Coach Phil Martelli was also among those to praise Nelson on his new position, welcoming him as a member of the coaching family.
THIS IS TREMENDOUS!!! Blessed to have @jameernelson as a member of my Family #LOVE https://t.co/7jS3Kwqf99
— Phil Martelli (@PhilMartelli) October 21, 2020
It was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer that Nelson had interviewed for the St. Joe’s head coaching job when the university parted ways with Martelli in March of 2019.
Eventually, St. Joe’s went with Head Coach Billy Lange to fill the position. According to Nelson, this was tough to hear.
“I’m not bitter or anything like that,” Nelson told the Inquirer in an interview. “But because I wanted [the job], I am disappointed.”
Now, Nelson will get his opportunity to make that jump into the front office side of basketball and at a professional level with the Delaware Blue Coats.
