With the college basketball season right around the corner, it's time for the Blue Zone to break down the 2024-25 Duke women's basketball roster. We previously looked at Jenessa Cotton, Jordan Wood and Louann Battiston. Next up is transfer guard Riley Nelson:
Riley Nelson
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-2
Position: Guard
Last year’s stat line: 14.0 MPG, 5.1 PPG, 0.8 APG
Game breakdown: Nelson joined The Sisterhood after spending her freshman season with the University of Maryland. The 6-foot-2 guard showed promise on the court, playing in 16 games for the Terrapins before her season was cut short by a January ACL tear against Purdue. Nelson also received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for her 2023-24 season, emphasizing her strong academic standing and good citizenship on and off the court.
The five-star recruit was reliable and consistent from the line, attaining a 76.2% free throw percentage. Nelson’s best offensive performance of the season occurred in the Terrapins’ game against Niagara, where she scored a career high of 15 points and made 7-of-11 field goals. She also won two assists and one rebound during the game, showing a diversified skill set on the attack. Overall, Nelson lacks offensive consistency, but the Clarksburg, Md., native’s commitment to developing her game makes her a promising contribution to the Blue Devils.
Role on the team: As both a newcomer and one of 11 guards on this year’s roster, Nelson is unlikely to see much playing time right away. Duke returners Vanessa de Jesus and Ashlon Jackson will keep the competition tight, but, given her drive, don’t count Nelson’s contributions out as the season continues.
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