April 1, 2010
By Josh Bowe for utamavs.com
ARLINGTON, Texas - Meghan Nelson's UT Arlington career ended on March 11 - a loss to Lamar in the Southland conference tournament semifinals.
The senior guard will graduate this May, but could still be playing basketball afterwards - professionally. Nelson has been invited to participate in the WNBA's Pre-Draft Camp at the women's Final Four in San Antonio this weekend.
Nelson led the Mavericks this past season with 18.3 point per game. She said she's loved the extra time with no games, but is still working hard to stay in shape.
"It's been kind of different," Nelson said. "I still have a whole bunch of extra time, but it's been working out for me."
The top 50 seniors in women's basketball will be at the camp. Nelson was notified in late February that she was being considered for the camp and said she was "totally surprised."
Nelson doesn't have an agent and doesn't plan on listening to any draft projections. She said she wants to focus on working out right now.
"I'm hearing that I have a good chance of getting picked up," Nelson said. "I'm not trying to get ahead of myself. I just need to go and do what I have to do."
UTA assistant coach Erin Grant has been working with Nelson since the season ended and played in the WNBA with the Houston Comets. Nelson said regardless of what happens she's happy for going on the ride.
"It's going to be a great experience," Nelson said. "Something I can tell my kids about."
While Nelson led the Mavericks in scoring this season, she did so without shooting too many jump shots. Nelson's game has always been driving to the rim and getting to the free throw line. Nelson has only made 23 three point shots in her entire UTA career.
With that in mind, Nelson has been working on her perimeter shooting in preparation for the camp.
"I've been putting up some three point shooting," Nelson said. "I've been getting better at that. I'm going to have to keep working at that and try to add that to my game.
"Just keep practicing and practicing."
When asked if she personally thought she could make it in the WNBA, Nelson laughed before giving an honest answer.
"Coming from men, yeah, I think I can," Nelson said. "It's going to be a lot of hard work."
