JONESBORO, Ark. (5/16/16) – NJCAA All-Region II selection Nelson Nweke has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Arkansas State men’s basketball team for the 2016-17 season, head coach Grant McCasland announced Monday.
“We are really excited to be adding Nelson to the A-State basketball program,” said McCasland. “He will provide us with the physical presence we have been looking for. He is a guy who knows his role and plays it well. Nelson is an awesome teammate, gives everything he's got to winning, and will get better every day because of his passion for basketball.”
Nweke, a 6-7, 230 pound forward comes to A-State from Seminole (Okla.) State College and earned all-region accolades after averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds last season. He shot 69.8 percent (150-215) from the field and led Region II of the NJCAA Division I level in field goal percentage and rebound average last year.
In 27 games last season, Nweke had a double-double in 20 of those games including each of the last six games. He posted double-figure points in 25 of the 27 games, including the last 22 games. He posted 20 or more points in four outings, including a season high 26 points at St. Gregory University. He pulled down a season high of 15 rebounds in a win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
In his freshman campaign, Nweke averaged 8.3 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Trojans that posted a 19-14 record. He shot 59.5 percent (88-148) from the field and posted 20 blocks. He posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds against Eastern that year. The Trojans advanced to the NJCAA Region II Tournament, falling to Connors State in the quarterfinals.
Nweke was a first-team all-conference and all-suburban pick for Grandview HS in the Kansas City, Mo., area.
