Georgia Tech transfer Ed Nelson picks Connecticut

6-8 sophomore Ed Nelson of Georgia Tech, who was the 2002 ACC Rookie of the Year, has transferred to Connecticut. Nelson averaged 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds (eighth in the ACC) this season. However, he started only twelve of Tech's 31 games after starting 28 games as a freshman. Nelson played his high school ball at Fort Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas High School, but originally hails from the Boston area. He has family there and was considering Boston College.

Ed Nelson seemed to have trouble adjusting to the addition of talented freshman Chris Bosh and his shooting slipped from 50% from the field to 40% this season. However, he did make good strides from the line as he made 70.5%, up from 56.6% as a freshman.

Nelson will have to sit out the 2003-04 season before becoming eligible. He will join the junior class of Denham Brown, Rashad Anderson, Marcus White and Hilton Armstrong.

The Huskies are among the final three schools for 6-9 Alexander Johnson of Bridgton (ME) Bridgton Academy, who is also considering Florida State and Cincinnati. Johnson will announce his choice on Wednesday. 6-10 Charlie Villanueva of Blairstown (NJ) Blair Academy, who put his name in the NBA Draft, is also looking at Connecticut.