When a photo of Grant Nelson with a black-eye began circulating on social media last week, Crimson Tide fans couldn't help but wonder just what the former Alabama basketball player did to get it.
On Saturday, the 6-foot-11 forward and Brooklyn Nets prospect finally shared the story behind his viral shiner.
"Yeah, I mean, at our mini-camp, I was cutting and someone's elbow just came, clocked me on a cut," Nelson explained to Nets Daily's Lucas Kaplan .
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"I didn't really see much after that," Nelson continued.
That lack of sight wasn't going to knock his goal of securing his two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets out of focus, though.
On the hardwood with the pros in the NBA Summer League, Nelson, who is currently signed on an Exhibit 10 contract, has been showing off the hustle that made him a Blue Collar legend. He hasn't been operating in the starting role he had during his college career from North Dakota State to Alabama, but Nelson is still providing a punch off the bench with big-time boards and assists. Despite finding himself in foul trouble in games like Sunday's loss to the Washington Wizards , Nelson isn't discouraged about his development with the Nets.
"I mean, I try not to think too far ahead," Nelson told reporters. "For right now, I'm really trying to lock in on the roles I'm told to do. Like I said, rebounding the ball, guarding one-through-five. I feel like that's been something I've been picking up even through this training camp, being able to switch on those guards."
Still, Nelson isn't letting the growing pains stunt what he could be in the future.
"But I mean, it's impossible not to think of what I can become and what I'm trying to be as a player. But I'm really just looking to get on the court right now and do things to get that two-way. I think it's me focusing on right now what I can do to help this team win."
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Former Alabama basketball player Nelson shares story behind viral black-eye
