When junior forward Bakari Nelson transferred last fall from Brother Rice to Evergreen Park, it made for a reunion he had looked forward to for a long time.
“I grew up playing middle school ball with most of my teammates at Evergreen Park,” Nelson said. “The chemistry was already there. Everyone kind of trusted me.
“We’ve been talking about this for a few years. Some guys branched out after eighth grade, but slowly, we’re coming back together. I was kind of the final piece.”
Nelson has been a key addition for the Mustangs (17-11). He’s averaging 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in his first season at Evergreen Park.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult when you come in as a transfer and don’t really know anybody,” Evergreen Park coach Jim Sexton said. “People kind of look sideways at you. But Bakari grew up playing with a lot of our guys.
“He’s just a laid-back, nice kid, so that made it easier. Everyone realized he was a really good kid who was going to help elevate our program.”
Nelson’s impact is especially felt on the defensive end as he’s often asked to guard the opponents’ best player.
Nelson is just 6-foot-3, but on an Evergreen Park team without much size, he sometimes matches up with much taller players.
“It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m up for it,” Nelson said. “Every night, there’s a different assignment. Some nights, I’m tasked to stick the best player. Some nights, I’m asked to stick the biggest player.
“I’m up for it every night. Nothing has come my way that I haven’t been able to do so far.”
Growing up, Nelson played basketball but was more interested in baseball. That changed around sixth grade.
“I was originally a baseball guy, but I started taking basketball more seriously,” he said. “I started watching the NBA more and analyzing the game. I liked the fast-paced play of basketball more than baseball.
“My favorite player is LeBron James. I love his hustle and his work ethic and I try to implement that to my lifestyle.”
The Mustangs, the seventh seed in the Class 3A Marian Catholic Sectional, are set to host a regional next week.
They will open with a regional semifinal Wednesday against 10th-seeded Brooks. If they win, second-seeded Thornton likely awaits in the regional final.
Nelson is ready for the challenge.
“I feel like we’re playing our best basketball right now, and no matter who we play, we’re going to give them a run,” he said. “We’re going to try our best to win and that’s all we can really do.”
ESCC elite: Marian Catholic (18-9) won the East Suburban Catholic Conference Tournament, upsetting Benet 55-46 in Saturday’s championship game.
Jeremiah Jones scored 18 points and Tre Davis added 16.
The Spartans, who beat St. Patrick 61-54 the night before in the semifinals, hit the 55-point mark two games in a row after not reaching it the previous six games.
“We finally started shooting the ball well,” Marian Catholic coach Mike Taylor said. “We’re starting to figure out places on the floor where we can get people shots.
“We played two solid opponents in two tough games two nights in a row and got two wins, so I’m pleased with the direction we’re going.”
The Spartans, seeded fifth in the 3A sectional they’re hosting, open Wednesday against 12th-seeded seed Bremen at the Morris Regional.
An exciting matchup with fourth-seeded Lemont could await in the final.
Abrams honored: Tracy Abrams, who was an all-state guard at Mount Carmel and starred at Illinois, had his No. 13 jersey retired by the Caravan at halftime of Friday’s game with Brother Rice.
“To be in this position is crazy,” Abrams said. “We built a legacy at Mount Carmel, and to be recognized for that means a lot.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
