Last Updated on December 19, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
Here’s information about Don Nelson:
Full Name: Donald Arvid Nelson
Nationality: American
Age: Born May 15, 1940
Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan, USA
Height: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m)
Weight: 210 pounds (95 kg)
Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches
Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
Number: 19, 9, 16 (wore different numbers during his career)
Position: Forward
High School: Rock Island High School (Rock Island, Illinois)
College: University of Iowa (1959–1962)
NBA Draft: Selected 17th overall in the 3rd round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Zephyrs
Teams Played For:
- Chicago Zephyrs (1962–1963)
- Los Angeles Lakers (1963–1965)
- Boston Celtics (1965–1976)
Championship Rings: 5 (all with the Boston Celtics: 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976)
Kids: 5 children, including Donnie Nelson (former NBA executive and coach)
Siblings: Not much is publicly known about his siblings
Fun Facts
- He was a part of the Boston Celtics dynasty of the ’60s and ’70s.
- He became a legendary coach after his playing career and was the founder of small ball even though modern coaches and managers like Steve Kerr and Daryl Morey get most of the credit for it.