Tyler Nelson (191-PG-1995, college: Fairfield) is a 27 year old 190cm guard from Lawrence, Mass playing his 5th professional season and third with the Rostock SeaWolves. Last season he helped the club win the Pro A title and help them over up to the easyCredit BBL averaging 16.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT-3 (46.2%), FT: 89.5%. he played his first 2 professional seasons with the Greensboro Swarm playing a total 71 G-league games averaging 8.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 81.4% and 6.4ppg, 1.1rpg, FGP: 31.4%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 84.6%. He began his basketball career at Central Catholic high school and then played at Fairfield (NCAA) from 2014-2018 playing a total of 126 NCAA games and averaged 20,0ppg in his last 2 years. He spoke to germanhoops.com during the summer about basketball.

Thanks Tyler for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

Life is good. I am back home in Boston Massachusetts enjoying the off season and training for next years season.

You have resigned with Rostock. How big of a motivation was being able to play in a top 5 league in Europe with the easyCredit BBL?

Yes it was a great to resign with Rostock in the BBL. I think it’s a great fit for me and chance to show what I can do at the BBL level.

Your playing your third season in Rostock. Has Rostock become like a second home? Your 43 minutes and 24 miles from Marblehead away. Did the water play a role growing up in Lawrence?

Yes I really like a Rostock and it’s nice city on the water. I grew up on the coast in Massachusetts so I like being near the water.

I’m sure also that the fans played a huge role in you wanting to come back. Have you ever seen so passionate fans like the SeaWolves in your life?


Yes the fans are great in Rostock. After we won the championship last year in ProA the fans gave us a great party. I’m excited to be back

Congrats on winning the title over the Tigers Tuebingen. They were the number one team in the Pro A in the standings. The games were tight. How much of a role did your team experience play?

It was a big role because we had such a close team and good chemistry and I think that was a big reason why we won.

The team had a losing streak going into the playoffs but then had a 8-1 record to finish the season. What was key after the loss to PS Karlsruhe for the turnaround? Was there a team meeting or something? What happened then that allowed the team to sparkle the rest of the way?

We had Covid and just struggled a little at the end of the season but we picked it up for the playoffs and played really well together.

What was the biggest strength of the team? Was it a combination of all knowing their roles and having that touch of unselfishness?

Team chemistry and trust in each other was the biggest strength and we played well with each other

How much of a pleasure was it being teammates with guards Chris Carter, Jordan Roland and Brad Loesing. What did each guy give the team best for the success?

All of them were great people and players but brought something different to the team that was a big reason we won.

Was your buzzer beater against Jena one of your most memorable shots in your career? How do you remember the play and execution?

Yes definitely I hit a buzzer beater in college but to hit a buzzer beater to win in the playoffs and for promotion to BBL is an unbelievable feeling.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Thats a good question, I think my game is close to JJ Redick and CJ McCallum.

You were a prolific scorer in the NCAA and found your touch again last season. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

I think I am much more than just a shooter and I showed that last year in Rostock by being the leading scorer and also making a lot of plays in the pick n roll.

Since your senior year at Fairfield (NCAA) and in the G-League you have been a 40% shooter from outside. How confident are you that you can become a consistent 40% shooter from outside?

I’m very confident that I can continue to shoot and score like this at the BBL level next season.

How vital is it for your game to continue to be a good defender and not get that label of just being that scorer?


Yes I think that the better my defense gets the more my game will keep improving and I can play at the highest levels in Europe.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most so that you can continue to move up the basketball ladder?

Defense

What memories do you have of playing for Dirk Bauermann? How did you learn to defend better under his guidance in your rookie season overseas?

Dirk was an amazing coach and knew so much about basketball. He gave me my first chance in Europe and believed in me and knew how good I could be.

You played your first 2 seasons in the G-League. For a guy that played at a less known school, you did a good job holding your own. How was that whole G-League experience for you? What do you feel was the most important thing you gained from the 2 years?


I just learned how to be a professional and to find a role on the team that helped win.

How competitive is the battle for minutes? Is it true that you can be in the gym until 4 am score 30 points, but if your not under the radar of an NBA game, it doesn’t matter what you do, because you won’t play heavy minutes. How did you experience that?


Yes I think at the NBA level you need to find a role on a team not everybody can be a scorer.

You played against so many talented guys in the G-League. Do you have an interesting story from your 2 years where you had an interesting experience with an NBA player that you won’t forget?

Devonte Graham and Dwayne Bacon

You played at Fairfield (NCAA) from 2014-2018. You improved your scoring each season. How do you remember your NCAA career. What kind of player were you in 2014 and what kind were you when you left in 2018?

Yes every season I tried to improve my game and add something to it. When I first got there I was just a shooter and by 2018 I was an all around offensive player

As a freshman you were hit in your first game with a 50 point loss against Duke that had 7 future NBA players. What do you remember from that game? Were you nervous and which Duke player stood out the most to you?

They were a great team ranked #1 and won the Championship that year.

You had so many great games at Fairfield. What was your personal favorite and best game?

Probably my senior year when I scored 35 points and set the all time scoring record at my school.

How did head coach Sydney Johnson groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Sydney was a great coach and mentor to me and believed in my game. He knew I could play at the professional level and he also played high level in Europe so he knew what it takes to get there.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jerry Johnson?


Me

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that would go to the NBA?


Dennis smith Jr

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Too many to name!

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

MJ, Kobe, Lebron, Magic, Bird

What is your personal opinion of the neverneding debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?


Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?


No I didn’t see it yet.

Thanks Tyler for the chat.