Meadows’ Nelms picks Illinois Wesleyan

A trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four in men’s basketball gave Illinois Wesleyan a nice assist in its recruiting efforts of Brian Nelms.

Nelms, the Mid-Suburban East player of the year who finished as Rolling Meadows’ career assist leader, made Wesleyan his college choice less than a week after its heartbreaking national semifinal loss.

“I was definitely interested in them before that but it was kind of a reminder to say this is a great program,” said Nelms, who averaged 14 points and 6 assists as Meadows won the MSL East title this season. “It kind of sealed the deal.”

The 5-foot-10 Nelms also had serious interest from Augustana, one of Wesleyan’s College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rivals, and Lake Forest. Brown from the Ivy League and Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan also showed some interest.

But the two-time Daily Herald all-area pick considered Wesleyan and head coach Ron Rose the perfect fit. His sister Emily is also a sophomore at nearby Illinois State.

“I’ve been down there quite a bit and I loved it there,” said Nelms, who started getting interest from Wesleyan last summer. “The coaches were great and met most of the guys and they were fantastic. It’s a great program and a great academic school and you can’t beat that.”

Nelms, who has a 4.6 grade-point average on a 5.0 scale and scored 31 on the ACT, plans to study business and was also influenced by Wesleyan’s new business facility.

And Nelms is ready to get down to business at the next level after four years on the Meadows varsity. Former Prospect star and junior Kevin Reed helped Wesleyan make a big postseason run to its fifth Final Four appearance.

“It will always be competitive at that level and you’ll always be fighting for a spot,” Nelms said. “I have to prove myself all over again and see where it takes me.”

Nelms also would like to get into coaching after college and could follow the lead of two he knows well in Wesleyan alums Kevin Katovich at Meadows and John Camardella at Prospect.

“Rose said, ‘Are you sure you want to come here after Katovich and Camardella came there?’ ” Nelms joked. “They’re excited to have me and I’m excited to be there.”