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Haverford School guard Jameer Nelson Jr. commits to St. Joseph’s, following his father’s footsteps

Nelson averaged 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season for the Inter-Ac League champions.

Haverford School guard Jameer Nelson (14) drives past Roman Catholic's Seth Lundy (23).
Haverford School guard Jameer Nelson (14) drives past Roman Catholic's Seth Lundy (23).Read moreLOU RABITO / STAFF

Following in the footsteps of his father, Haverford School guard Jameer Nelson Jr. has committed to play at St. Joseph's.

Nelson, a senior, intends to play for a postgraduate school next year and join coach Phil Martelli and St. Joseph's as a member of the recruiting class of 2020.

"Of the colleges that offered me scholarships, I think St. Joe's had the best plan for me," the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder said. "Another thing was that the coaches treated me as an individual, and didn't focus on my dad's career at the school."

Jameer Nelson Sr. established himself as one of the top players in Hawks history from 2000-04. The four-year starter from Chester High totaled 2,094 points, 713 assists, and 256 steals.

The younger Nelson, a combination guard, averaged 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season while helping lead the Fords to a 23-6 overall record and, with a 10-0 mark, the Inter-Ac League title.

"He's super-athletic, a kid that can make a steal, shot or pass that changes the outcome of a game," Haverford School coach Bernie Rogers said.

Rogers said Nelson and his family are still deciding on which prep school he will attend next year: "He just turned 17, so it gives him another year to mature academically and athletically."

Nelson, who became a starter at Haverford School as a sophomore and plays AAU ball for Philly Pride, said he also received scholarship offers from Hartford, La Salle, Rider, Siena, and St. Peter's.

His father is St. Joseph's all-time scoring leader. The Hawks compiled a 98-28 record during his career and made four postseason appearances, including a run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2004.

The elder Nelson was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft, The 6-foot point guard has averaged 11.4 points, 5.1 assists, and three rebounds over 14 years. He played in 43 games for the New Orleans Pelicans and seven for the Detroit Pistons last season.

"My dad really didn't have a say in my college choice or try to point me in any direction, but he let me know about the recruitment process and was there to answer any questions I had," the younger Nelson said.

St. Joseph's received a commitment earlier this month from Roman Catholic senior wing Hakim Hart. The 6-6, 190-pounder averaged 15.1 points last season for the Catholic League and PIAA Class 6A state champions.

Haverford School will be led in the 2018-19 campaign by Nelson and fellow senior Christian Ray, a 6-6, 205-pound wing who committed recently to La Salle University.