Brad Williams
July 23, 2020
Matthew Nielsen
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 3/02/78
- Place of Birth: Sydney (NSW)
- Position: PF
- Height (CM): 208
- Weight (KG): 106
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Penrith
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 9/05/95
- AGE AT DEBUT: 17
- LAST NBL GAME: 6/04/04
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Sydney 1995-04
- Championships: 2
- Sydney (2003, 2004)
BIO: Born and raised in the Sydney suburb of Leonay. He played his junior basketball with the Penrith Basketball Association and attended St Marys Senior High School. Whilst still a high school student he arranged to leave school early three times a week to train with the Sydney Kings as a development player. Nielsen received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1996. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Matthew Nielsen made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 17 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
In the 1995 NBL season, the Sydney Kings aimed to bolster their roster by adding seasoned veterans to support their young talent. Notable additions included Phil Smyth (via Adelaide), Justin Withers (via Canberra), and import Bruce Bolden (via South East Melbourne). These acquisitions increased the team’s average starting lineup age from 28 to 31, indicating a strategic push for immediate success.
The season commenced with a narrow 85–86 loss to Bolden’s former team, the South East Melbourne Magic. Throughout the season, the Kings showcased inconsistency, securing victories against top-tier teams while faltering against lower-ranked opponents. They achieved notable wins over the Perth Wildcats and North Melbourne Giants, who finished first and third respectively. However, they suffered defeats to teams like the Canberra Cannons (who finished tenth), Townsville Suns (twelfth), and Gold Coast Rollers (thirteenth). This inconsistency led to a 3–6 start to the season.
Leon Trimmingham (27.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.1 steals, and 2.2 blocks) led the team in most statistical categories. Bruce Bolden (20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals) and captain Damian Keogh (14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals) were the teams other major contributors.
Despite these individual performances, the Kings concluded the season in tenth place with a 10–16 record, failing to secure a playoff berth.
Matt Nielsen, a young talent for the Kings, made his NBL debut during this season. However, specific statistics regarding his contributions for the 1995 season are not readily available. Following this season, Nielsen moved to Canberra to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), furthering his development as a player.
1997
In 1997, Matthew Nielsen returned to the Sydney Kings and by mid-season had moved into the starting lineup. He played a key role for the Kings, who finished in tenth position during the regular season. At the end of the season, he was awarded the NBL Rookie of the Year Award.
A year into the Kings’ rebuilding process around Boomers guard Shane Heal, Sydney faced a major setback when Heal, following an outstanding 1996 Olympic campaign, signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. To compensate for his departure, the Kings signed Aaron Trahair, an up-and-coming guard who had shown promise in Perth despite being behind legendary guard Ricky Grace. Additionally, Cameron Dickinson (via Townsville) was brought in to help cover the perimeter shooting lost with Heal’s absence.
The 1997 season was one of the most competitive in NBL history, with the league consolidating after the exit of Hobart, Geelong, and Gold Coast. The redistribution of talent made the competition fiercer than ever. Combined with the unexpected loss of Heal, the Kings struggled early, losing three of their first four games. Much of the offensive and playmaking burden fell on import Isaac Burton (20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 steals), who led the team in scoring and topped the league in steals for the second consecutive year. Burton would produce a dominant performance against Illawarra, where he recorded 44 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals, hitting 15 of 22 shots from the field in a 123–107 victory.
Melvin Thomas (18.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals) provided a strong presence in his second season with the Kings, leading the team in rebounds. Stephen Whitehead (12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) emerged as the team’s third-leading scorer. Nielsen (9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), who had been training with the Kings since 1995, became a regular part of the rotation, appearing in 29 games and making an impact with his consistent performances. His contributions earned him NBL Rookie of the Year honors.
Sydney would lose their final three games and finish with a 12–18 record, placing them second-last (tenth) on the ladder. The Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs.
1998
Sydney Kings underwent significant changes in the 1998/99 season as the NBL transitioned from a winter to a summer schedule. The team lost Shane Heal, who departed for Near East in Greece, and long-time team captain Bruce Bolden, who joined the newly established West Sydney Razorbacks. Additionally, Brad Williams and Stephen Whitehead were not re-signed. To fill these gaps, Ben Castle (Brisbane) and Darren Smith (State League) were signed as replacements.
With key veterans gone, head coach Bill Tomlinson opted to rebuild around young local talent, particularly Matthew Nielsen and Aaron Trahair. Veteran point guard Brad Rosen was named team captain, taking over leadership duties, while the Kings re-signed Kelsey Weems, who had joined the team for the final 12 games of the previous season, and brought in import Alonzo Goldston.
The Kings opened the season against Bolden’s Razorbacks, marking West Sydney’s NBL debut. Sydney fell 97-103, and their struggles continued as they lost seven of their next eight games.
After a poor start, Goldston (14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in six games) was released, and the team replaced him with former NBA big man Acie Earl. Standing 208cm and 110kg, Earl had played two seasons with the Boston Celtics before being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 expansion draft, where he famously scored 40 points against Boston in a revenge game. His arrival in the NBL immediately boosted the Kings, delivering one of the most dominant statistical seasons in league history.
Just five games into his tenure, Earl put up 33 points (12/19 FG) and 12 rebounds, shutting down Brisbane’s Thaddeus Delaney (4/14 FG). He finished the season averaging 21.6 points (50% FG), 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game, proving to be one of the most efficient big men in the league.
Beyond Earl, the rest of the roster delivered mixed performances. Weems (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) didn’t match the impact of his previous campaign, while Matt Nielsen took a major leap, increasing his scoring from 16.4 points per game to 20.4, while also contributing 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks, solidifying himself as the franchise’s future cornerstone.
Despite individual bright spots, the Kings struggled with consistency, finishing 5-8 at home and 4-9 on the road, ultimately placing ninth and missing the playoffs once again.
1998/99
Sydney faced significant roster changes as the NBL transitioned from a winter to a summer competition. The most notable departures included Shane Heal, who left to play in Greece for Near East, longtime team captain Bruce Bolden, who joined the newly established West Sydney Razorbacks, and Brad Williams and Stephen Whitehead, who were not re-signed. To fill the gaps, Ben Castle (via Brisbane) and Darren Smith (via state league) were brought in.
Head coach Bill Tomlinson opted to rebuild around young local talent, particularly Matthew Nielsen and Aaron Trahair. With Bolden gone, veteran Brad Rosen was named team captain, while import Kelsey Weems, who had joined Sydney for the final 12 games of the previous season, was re-signed and paired with incoming import Alonzo Goldston.
The season opener saw the Kings face off against Bolden’s Razorbacks in West Sydney’s NBL debut. Sydney fell 97-103, marking the first of eight losses in their opening nine games.
Following the rough start, Goldston (14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in six games) was cut, and the Kings signed former NBA big man Acie Earl as his replacement.
Earl, a 208cm, 110kg powerhouse, had spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics before being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 expansion draft. Holding a grudge against Boston for letting him go, he famously erupted for 40 points against them in their next meeting. His 1998/99 season in Sydney was one of the most dominant in NBL history, posting 21.6 points (on 50% shooting), 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game. Five games into his tenure, he dropped 33 points (12/19 shooting) and 12 rebounds while shutting down Brisbane’s star big man Thaddeus Delaney, holding him to just 4-of-14 from the field.
Beyond Earl’s dominance, the rest of the roster struggled with consistency. Weems (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) wasn’t able to match his impact from the previous season, while Nielsen (20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks) continued his impressive development, increasing his scoring output from 16.4 points per game and emerging as the face of the franchise.
Despite individual standout performances, the Kings struggled both at home (5-8) and on the road (4-9), finishing in ninth place and missing the playoffs once again.
1999/00
2000/01
He played a further seven seasons with the Kings and helped the club win championships in 2003 and 2004. In 244 career games for the Kings over nine seasons, he averaged 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
In 2004, Nielsen began a decorated European career playing for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece, Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania, Valencia in Spain, Olympiacos Piraeus also in Greece, and Khimki in Russia.
On 10 October 2013, Nielsen was named in the Sydney Kings 25th Anniversary Team.
Matthew Nielsen played nine seasons the Sydney Kings. He averaged 17.4 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 244 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 16th in total blocks
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 26 | Sydney | 26-7 (1) | 40 | 1,549.0 | 887 | 424 | 139 | 119 | 305 | 41 | 100 | 118 | 140 | 330 | 630 | 52% | 22 | 67 | 33% | 205 | 287 | 71% | 58% | 54% | 41 |
| 2002-03 | 25 | Sydney | 22-8 (1) | 38 | 1,105.0 | 580 | 254 | 77 | 88 | 166 | 36 | 77 | 73 | 143 | 244 | 419 | 58% | 0 | 4 | 0% | 92 | 153 | 60% | 59% | 58% | 31 |
| 2001-02 | 24 | Sydney | 14-16 (8) | 30 | 1,113.0 | 584 | 266 | 114 | 92 | 174 | 38 | 45 | 87 | 120 | 225 | 419 | 54% | 15 | 57 | 26% | 119 | 165 | 72% | 59% | 55% | 36 |
| 2000-01 | 23 | Sydney | 17-11 (5) | 30 | 1,100.0 | 605 | 285 | 89 | 85 | 200 | 33 | 36 | 82 | 122 | 220 | 407 | 54% | 27 | 72 | 38% | 138 | 210 | 66% | 60% | 57% | 32 |
| 1999-00 | 22 | Sydney | 11-17 (7) | 28 | 973.0 | 467 | 187 | 63 | 65 | 122 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 110 | 183 | 351 | 52% | 4 | 25 | 16% | 97 | 130 | 75% | 57% | 53% | 33 |
| 1998-99 | 21 | Sydney | 9-17 (10) | 19 | 804.0 | 388 | 174 | 46 | 67 | 107 | 20 | 25 | 54 | 80 | 146 | 292 | 50% | 5 | 31 | 16% | 91 | 132 | 69% | 55% | 51% | 35 |
| 1998 | 20 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 28 | 944.0 | 460 | 232 | 62 | 57 | 175 | 36 | 19 | 81 | 108 | 175 | 323 | 54% | 5 | 24 | 21% | 105 | 153 | 69% | 58% | 55% | 38 |
| 1997 | 19 | Sydney | 12-18 (9) | 29 | 776.0 | 288 | 142 | 34 | 43 | 99 | 26 | 25 | 39 | 103 | 111 | 214 | 52% | 7 | 12 | 58% | 59 | 89 | 66% | 56% | 54% | 26 |
| 1995 | 17 | Sydney | 10-16 (11) | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 | Totals | 244 | 8366 | 4259 | 1964 | 624 | 616 | 1348 | 247 | 357 | 581 | 926 | 1634 | 3055 | 53.5% | 85 | 292 | 29.1% | 906 | 1321 | 68.6% | 59% | 55% | 41 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 26 | Sydney | 26-7 (1) | 40 | 38.7 | 22.2 | 10.6 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 8.3 | 15.8 | 52% | 0.6 | 1.7 | 33% | 5.1 | 7.2 | 71% | 58% | 54% | 41 |
| 2002-03 | 25 | Sydney | 22-8 (1) | 38 | 29.1 | 15.3 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 6.4 | 11.0 | 58% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 2.4 | 4.0 | 60% | 59% | 58% | 31 |
| 2001-02 | 24 | Sydney | 14-16 (8) | 30 | 37.1 | 19.5 | 8.9 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 14.0 | 54% | 0.5 | 1.9 | 26% | 4.0 | 5.5 | 72% | 59% | 55% | 36 |
| 2000-01 | 23 | Sydney | 17-11 (5) | 30 | 36.7 | 20.2 | 9.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 13.6 | 54% | 0.9 | 2.4 | 38% | 4.6 | 7.0 | 66% | 60% | 57% | 32 |
| 1999-00 | 22 | Sydney | 11-17 (7) | 28 | 34.8 | 16.7 | 6.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 3.9 | 6.5 | 12.5 | 52% | 0.1 | 0.9 | 16% | 3.5 | 4.6 | 75% | 57% | 53% | 33 |
| 1998-99 | 21 | Sydney | 9-17 (10) | 19 | 42.3 | 20.4 | 9.2 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 7.7 | 15.4 | 50% | 0.3 | 1.6 | 16% | 4.8 | 6.9 | 69% | 55% | 51% | 35 |
| 1998 | 20 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 28 | 33.7 | 16.4 | 8.3 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 6.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 11.5 | 54% | 0.2 | 0.9 | 21% | 3.8 | 5.5 | 69% | 58% | 55% | 38 |
| 1997 | 19 | Sydney | 12-18 (9) | 29 | 26.8 | 9.9 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 7.4 | 52% | 0.2 | 0.4 | 58% | 2.0 | 3.1 | 66% | 56% | 54% | 26 |
| 1995 | 17 | Sydney | 10-16 (11) | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 | Total | 244 | 34.3 | 17.5 | 8.0 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 6.7 | 12.5 | 53.5% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 29.1% | 0.3 | 1.2 | 68.6% | 59% | 55% | 41 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 41 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Sydney (1995, 1997), AIS (1996), Penrith (2000)
Nielsen joined Sydney for the 1995 SEABL season, and that first state league campaign saw him play for the Sydney Sky before he had turned 18, with his performances earning SEABL East Youth Player of the Year honours.
In 1996, Nielsen moved to the Australian Institute of Sport for the SEABL season, where he first established himself as a future NBL star in the CBA by leading the AIS in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and field goal percentage at the age of eighteen, while also claiming SEABL East Youth Player of the Year for a second straight year.
Nielsen returned to the Sydney Sky in 1997 and played six SEABL games before settling back into the Sydney Kings full-time at national league level.
In 2000, Nielsen played for Penrith in the SEABL with the Panthers, adding another New South Wales state league stop before his career moved fully into the NBL and then Europe.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Nielsen won a gold medal for Australia at the FIBA Under 23 World Championships in 1997.
During his time playing for the Australian national team he also won gold medals at the 2001 Goodwill Games and was a member of 2002 Boomers Squad which failed to qualify for World Championships under coach Phil Smyth.
Neilsen remained a part of the national team as Australia looked to rebound from the loss to New Zealand with Smyth being replaced as head coach by Brian Goorjian. Goorjians first move as coach was convincing Shane Heal to return to the national program (he had retired after the 2000 Olympics) and build the team around teenage big man Andrew Bogut. In his first Olympics Bogut (13.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks) was the teams starting centre and leading rebounder while Heal (16.7 points and 3.5 assists) would lead the team in scoring and assists. selected a part of the national program as the team. Due to the teams inexperience, the Boomers (1-5) lost to every team in their pool bar Angola, missing the quarterfinals. Australia would then defeat New Zealand, 98-80, to determine who finished the tournament in ninth place.
Nielsen went on to play for Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where the Boomers defeated Iran, Russia and Lithuania to narrowly advance through to the second round. Due to their poor record (3-2) they would draw #1 ranked USA (5-0), who had earned the moniker of "The Redeem Team" and featured Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade. Despite a 20 point effort from Boomers debutant Patty Mills, Australia would lose to USA with Kobe Bryant (25 points) finishing as the game high scorer. The loss would see the Boomers finish in seventh place, their highest finish since 2000.
In 2010, Nielsen was part of the Boomers squad that competed at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey, where the team placed 10th. The young roster saw Patty Mills lead the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) and assists (3.4 apg) and David Andersen finish second on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg) while leading the team in rebounds (7.4 rpg).
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 34 | 6 | 121 | 20 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 17 | 8 | 19 | 42.1% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 4 | 8 | 50.0% |
| 2010 | 32 | 6 | 146 | 56 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 21 | 45 | 46.7% | 2 | 10 | 20.0% | 12 | 20 | 60.0% |
| 2008 | 30 | 6 | 110 | 44 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 30 | 40.0% | 2 | 6 | 33.3% | 18 | 30 | 60.0% |
| 2004 | 26 | 6 | 144 | 76 | 28 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 22 | 31 | 65 | 47.7% | 2 | 5 | 40.0% | 12 | 19 | 63.2% | Total | 24 | 521 | 196 | 104 | 31 | 30 | 74 | 27 | 12 | 49 | 69 | 72 | 159 | 45% | 6 | 22 | 27% | 46 | 77 | 60% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 34 | 6 | 20.2 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 42.1% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0% | 0.7 | 1.3 | 50.0% |
| 2010 | 32 | 6 | 24.3 | 9.3 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 7.5 | 46.7% | 0.3 | 1.7 | 20.0% | 2.0 | 3.3 | 60.0% |
| 2008 | 30 | 6 | 18.3 | 7.3 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 40.0% | 0.3 | 1.0 | 33.3% | 3.0 | 5.0 | 60.0% |
| 2004 | 26 | 6 | 24.0 | 12.7 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 5.2 | 10.8 | 47.7% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 40.0% | 2.0 | 3.2 | 63.2% | Total | 24 | 21.7 | 8.2 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 6.6 | 45% | 0.3 | 0.9 | 27% | 1.9 | 3.2 | 60% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
During his early years in the NBL Nielsen was scouted by multiple NBA scouts and was close to signing with the Chicago Bulls after developing a relationship with General Manager Jerry Krause.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Greece - PAOK Thessaloniki (2004-2005), Olympiacos Piraeus (2010-2011) | Lithuania - Lietuvos Rytas (2005-2008) | Russia - BC Khimki (2011-2012) | Spain - Valencia (2008-2010)
Nielsen joined PAOK Thessaloniki for the 2004–2005 Greek League season in Greece and recorded a EuroCup performance index rating of 37 on 12 January 2005 and scored 25 points on 14 December 2004.
He joined Lietuvos Rytas for the 2005–2006 season in Lithuania and won the Lithuanian league title in 2006 while averaging 12.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in EuroLeague play.
He remained with Lietuvos Rytas for the 2006–2007 season in Lithuania and won the Baltic League title in 2007.
He remained with Lietuvos Rytas for the 2007–2008 season in Lithuania and averaged 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in EuroLeague play.
He joined Valencia for the 2008–2009 Spanish ACB season in Spain and was named to the All-EuroCup Second Team.
He remained with Valencia for the 2009–2010 season in Spain and won the EuroCup title while being named EuroCup Finals MVP and earning All-EuroCup First Team honours.
He joined Olympiacos Piraeus for the 2010–2011 Greek League season in Greece and won the Greek Cup in 2011.
He joined BC Khimki for the 2011–2012 season in Russia and won the EuroCup title in 2012.
AWARDS
- 1x time NBL Most Valuable Player (2004)
- 1x time NBL Finals MVP (2004)
- NBL Rookie Of The Year (1997)
- 1x All-NBL First Team
- 2x All-NBL Second Team
- 1x NBL Leading Scorer
- 2004 Eurochallenge Title with UNICS Kazan (Russia)
- 2003 ULEB Cup MVP (Russia)
- FIBA 22 & Under World Championships MVP (1997)
- ABA Youth Player of the Year 1996
COACHING HISTORY
Between 2015 and 2019, he served as an assistant coach for the Perth Wildcats of the NBL.
In 2020, Nielsen was named as assistant coach of the Australian senior men's national team under head coach Brian Goorjian which would win Australia's first olmypic medal.
Nielsen is currently an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League.
Related
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