Backcourt Boost: Dan Gherezgher Returns and Shawn Nelson Signs
Since the transfer portal opened on March 24th, over 1,300 Division I men's basketball players have entered. From NKU, Keeyan Itejere, Randall Pettus, Jeramiah Israel, Cesar Tchilombo, Paulius Rapolis, and Max Hyman all entered the portal within the last 10 days. Despite all the movement, NKU got a key player to return for the 2025-26 season!
No April Fools Joke Here: Dan Gherezgher is Back with the Norse
On March 28th, Dan Gherezgher entered his name in the transfer portal. On April 1st, Dan Gherezgher announced on his X/Twitter account that he would be removing his name from the portal and returning to Northern Kentucky for his senior year. The most important part of the offseason for NKU hoops was retaining Dan and in the end, NKU did.
The Norse finished the season 8-3, with Gherezgher averaging 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while shooting 45.2% from three. He provides immediate stability to NKU's roster as the Day 1 point guard, and will be featured heavily on offense as well as having experience playing in Coach Horn's "Fist" defense.
— Daniel Gherezgher (@DGherezgher) April 1, 2025
NKU Welcomes Shawn Nelson
Northern Kentucky made its first dip into the transfer portal with the signing of fifth-year player Shawn Nelson. He is a 6'4 guard out of Division II Barton College where he averaged 18.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Shawn took a massive leap from the 2022–23 season to this past season. Two years ago, he averaged just 4.5 points in 30 games. This past season was certainly a breakout season for Nelson. He played 800 minutes, which was more than the previous two seasons combined, and started in all but one game for the Bulldogs.
Shawn shot over 50% from the field and 41% from three, along with taking the 6th most free throws in Division II and shooting those at a 73.4% clip. Nelson can score from all three levels, along with finishing with either hand around the rim. He also averaged 1.4 steals last season, and will look to produce a similar number at the next level, especially with how important perimeter defense is to NKU's defensive scheme.
Below is Shawn's commitment announcement and highlight reel:
#NorseUp pic.twitter.com/7FsbY2wJJL
— Shawn (@4gonscore) March 31, 2025
18.9 PPG
— Shawn (@4gonscore) March 11, 2025
5.3 RPG
4.5 APG
50 FG%
41 3PT %
2️⃣nd Team All Conference
4️⃣x player of the week
3️⃣rd in the Nation in FT attempts (244)
2️⃣ in the conference in assist pic.twitter.com/PV3us0WGVu
No News on LJ Wells or Sam Vinson
Sam Vinson is still in the process of obtaining a medical redshirt, which would allow him to play another year. LJ Wells has not entered his name into the transfer portal and appears to be remaining with NKU.
