Magic Draft Nelson.
Orlando Magic Drafts Izaiyah Nelson No. 51, Boosting Defensive Tenor and Bench Depth.
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Key Points
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Nelson posted 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals in South Florida's NCAA Tournament loss to Louisville, underscoring his productive multi-dimensional two-way impact in big games.
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Defensive metrics and physical tools highlight his upside: 4.6 stocks per 75 possessions (2.5 steals, 2.1 blocks) and 14.4 rebounds per 75; a 7'2.5 wingspan and a 9'0 standing reach.
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Offensive limitations are clear: he averaged 15.9 points on 56/14/73 shooting, with the outside shot accounting for only 14% from three.
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College background and development trajectory: appeared in 101 games for Arkansas State (2022–2025), averaging 8 points and 7 rebounds with 41 total blocks, then transferred to USF where he earned All-Sun Belt honors and showcased improved scoring and rebounding.
The Orlando Magic landed Izaiyah Nelson with the No. 51 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, executing a draft-night trade that sent their No. 46 selection to Washington for picks No. 51 and No. 60. Orlando then flipped No. 60 to Milwaukee for cash, keeping Nelson while shedding salary commitments. WFTV reported the move as a deliberate push to add length and defensive depth to a bench that struggled last season.
Nelson, 22, spent three seasons at Arkansas State before transferring to South Florida, where he swept the AAC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year awards in 2025-26 — the first player in conference history to do so. He is also the first USF player drafted since Dominique Jones in 2010, according to Tampa Bay Times.
A Draft-Night Trade Built to Save Money and Add Defense
Orlando's moves on June 24 were methodical. The Magic selected Tennessee center Felix Okpara at No. 46, then immediately traded his rights to Washington for picks No. 51 and No. 60. Washington drafted Nelson at No. 51 on Orlando's behalf. The Magic then sent No. 60 — used on Malique Lewis — to Milwaukee for cash, according to Sports Yahoo.
Magic President Jeff Weltman confirmed the strategy the next morning. He called Nelson "a hit-first guy" and a "monster competitor, monster athlete." The trade-down saved the team guaranteed salary dollars at a tight financial moment. Orlando faces first-apron cap restrictions and a looming max extension for star Paolo Banchero, making the cash from Milwaukee a practical gain alongside Nelson's upside.
Nelson's Physical Tools Are Among the Draft's Best
At the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, Nelson measured 6'8.25" barefoot with a 7'2.5" wingspan and a 9'0" standing reach. His max vertical hit 38.5 inches. Those numbers put him among the longest wings in the class. He led the NCAA with 89 dunks in 2025-26, a detail ESPN analyst Jay Bilas highlighted, calling Nelson "really long" with "max effort."
His stats back up the athleticism. Nelson averaged 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game at USF. In per-75-possession terms, he recorded 4.6 stocks — steals plus blocks combined — and 14.4 rebounds, according to My News 13. In USF's NCAA Tournament loss to Louisville, he posted 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in a single game.
His Shooting Is a Real Problem for NBA Scouts
Nelson's offensive limitations are hard to ignore. He shot just 14.3% from three-point range at USF, on low volume. His free-throw rate sat at 72.5%. Analysts at Babcock Hoops described his offensive game as a "simplified role" built around lobs and second-chance points. Those are fine tools, but they shrink quickly if defenders stop respecting his jumper.
At 218 pounds, he is also considered undersized for a traditional post player. Skeptics argue that without a reliable perimeter shot, he risks being a liability in NBA half-court sets. The realistic early projection is a defensive specialist fighting for G-League and fringe rotation minutes while working to develop a more complete offensive game, according to WFTV.
Nelson Fills a Defensive Gap as Isaac's Future Stays Cloudy
Orlando's bench was inconsistent during their seven-game first-round exit to the Detroit Pistons in 2025. Jonathan Isaac, the team's elite defensive anchor, carries a $14.5 million contract with a June 28 guarantee deadline that puts his future in Orlando in doubt. Nelson's selection is widely seen as a hedge — a long, active defender who fits the team's identity if Isaac departs, per My News 13.
Young forwards Tristan da Silva and Noah Penda are also in the mix for rotation minutes, meaning Nelson will need to develop fast to earn consistent playing time. His USF coach Bryan Hodgson said, "He is everything you want from an NBA big, and his best basketball is ahead of him." The Magic are betting that the upside — elite length, motor, and defensive instincts — outweighs the offensive question marks for now.
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