Honors
►2007 Fall Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll
2009-10 (Senior)
Ben Nelson made his presence felt for the Huskers as he provided leadership and guidance for a young group of post players during his final campaign in Lincoln. The four-year letterwinner enjoyed the most playing time of his career, seeing action in 13 games, including making his only career start on Senior Night against Colorado. He played a total of 51 minutes on the season and averaged 1.1 points and 0.8 rebounds per contest.
Nelson was in the opening lineup against Colorado on Senior Night, playing four minutes. He took a season-high two field-goal attempts and recorded two offensive rebounds in the contest, matching his total from the rest of the season.
Nelson posted a season-best four points in a road contest against No. 14 Texas, hitting all four of his free throw attempts while seeing six minutes of action. It was a career high for attempts and made free throws in a game for Nelson, who finished the year hitting 10-of-18 at the line. Nelson also had a pair of steals in his six minutes off the bench against the Longhorns.
During non-conference play, Nelson earned playing time in 11 games, including a career-high nine minutes against Chicago State. He scored two points in four contests, including single field goals against UMKC and Southeastern Louisiana.
2008-09 (Junior)
Nelson earned his third varsity letter as he saw action in 11 contests while setting the tone for the squad on the practice court and in the weightroom. He finished the year averaging 0.3 points and 0.4 rebounds per game. All three of his points on the season came at the free throw line, where he went 3-of-4 on the season. He did not attempt a field goal. Nelson added four rebounds and an assist in 23 minutes on the court.
Starting the season on a solid note, Nelson played five minutes and had an offensive rebound against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He also had a rebound and an assist in a come-from-behind victory over IPFW before Christmas, and posted all three of his points on the year in four minutes against Maryland Eastern Shore. During conference play, Nelson saw action in four games, including three minutes at Missouri, which went on to reach the Elite Eight.
2007-08 (Sophomore)
Nelson continued his development in the Husker program as he saw action in nine contests as a backup in the post behind all-league center Aleks Maric. Nelson averaged 0.9 points and 0.4 rebounds per game while hitting 3-of-7 shots from the floor and 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
Nelson competed in six non-conference games but did not see action during Big 12 play until getting two minutes off the bench in the regular-season finale against Colorado. Nelson hit his only shot from the field against the Buffs and added a rebound. He came back to see three minutes of action over two games in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
In the best performance of his career, Nelson hit both of his field-goal attempts and 2-of-3 at the line to score six points while adding a rebound against Savannah State. He added a career-high eight minutes of action against North Carolina Central just over a week later.
In the classroom, Nelson was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Honor Roll.
2006-07 (Freshman)
Nelson joined the Husker program as a walk-on following open tryouts during the first semester before official practices began. Despite the late start, he contributed to the Huskers' improvement throughout the season by serving primarily as a practice player.
He appeared in three contests for a total of nine minutes. All three of Nelson's appearances came during Big 12 Conference action, including two road contests. He was one of two new walk-ons (also Nick Krenk) to earn a varsity letter after making the travel squad for every league contest.
Nelson's most extensive action came with five minutes against Oklahoma. He also logged three minutes at nationally ranked Kansas and had one minute at home vs. Colorado when he recorded his only shot attempt.
Before Nebraska
Nelson did not compete in basketball in his first season on the Lincoln campus, and instead concentrated his athletic interests on Nebraska's club rugby team. Nelson was named to the All-Big 12 team for his efforts on the field at the lock/jumper position.
Nelson lettered twice in basketball for Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School and Coach Terry Miller. He earned all-league honors as a senior when he led the team with 6.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while hitting 67 percent from the field. He produced 7.3 points per game, and set the school single-game (9) and single-season (60) records for blocked shots. He posted career highs of 19 points and 15 rebounds.
A two-year letterwinner on the basketball court, Nelson also earned a pair of varsity letters in track and field. In the classroom, he was a National Honor Society member and an 'A' Honor Roll student.
Personal
Ben is the son of Dawn and Virgil Nelson, and was born Oct. 5, 1986. He has one brother, Dan. Ben is majoring in mechanized systems management at Nebraska.