Yemi Nicholson won’t forget the jaw-dropping reaction the first time he threw down a power jam while serving as a counselor at an Adidas basketball camp last summer in Atlanta.
Who is that guy? Connecticut center Josh Boone was there. So were Notre Dame center Torin Francis, UConn forward Rashad Anderson and other college stars Nicholson had seen only on television.
If the 6-foot-11 Denver center looked closely enough, he might have spotted them scratching their heads in unison.
“Of course those guys didn’t know who I am,” said Nicholson, a senior. “They were trying to figure out what high school team I starred on and what AAU team I had played for, not knowing that I didn’t do any of those things.”
Imagine the expression on their faces when Nicholson got around to telling his new pals about his background. Yes, Nicholson also had been a high school blue-chipper. In the band.
Nicholson dabbled in basketball at Overland High School. Although a towering presence on a sturdy frame, he failed to catch the eye of college recruiters. But sweet tones from his jazz saxophone earned Nicholson the Louis Armstrong Award in 2001, a scholarship that could be used at the college of his choice. Nicholson picked Fort Lewis in Durango because he liked the music director.
After a few months on campus, Nicholson realized that he missed the sport. He walked on with the Skyhawks but played in only one game for a total of three minutes. Even coaches at that Division II program had never heard of him.
“I just had never taken basketball seriously,” Nicholson said. “Now that I take it seriously and study the game, maybe that’s why things are starting to fall into place.”
Four years later, Nicholson has developed into one of the nation’s best centers and one of the most intriguing NBA prospects in the country.
Coming off a season in which he led Denver to a 20-11 record (DU’s best for Division I) and earned Sun Belt Conference player of the year honors, Nicholson is drawing interest from pro scouts. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s drafted next summer. How high depends largely on his continued improvement this season.
“The trend now in the NBA is to find athletic centers, and that will help a kid like Nicholson,” said Marty Blake, the NBA’s director of scouting. “We know about him.”
Nicholson averaged 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds last season, and upped that to 21.2, 9.7 in conference play. Not bad for a former walk-on.
“There isn’t a coach in this country that wouldn’t have liked to have him walk into their office, like he did into ours three years ago, and ask if there might be a spot for him,” DU coach Terry Carroll said.
“Well, heavens, yes.”
Nicholson, who has grown 3 inches in college, was “discovered” by then-Pioneers guard Rodney Billups and other DU players during a summer pickup game on a Denver playground. Billups knew immediately Nicholson had enough game to play Division I ball. He also knew the Pioneers needed frontline help.
After sitting out the 2002-03 season as a transfer, Nicholson backed up 6-9 senior Brett Starkey the following year. Playing 12 1/2 minutes per game, Nicholson averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds as a sophomore, a glimpse of what was to come.
“I’d never heard of him before he got on campus,” DU junior forward Antonio Porch recalled. “After watching him, I thought, ‘Wow, this guy can do some things.”‘
Last season, Nicholson posted 11 double-doubles and scored 20 points or more 13 times. NBA scouts have reserved seats for DU home games.
“Offensively, Yemi has everything you’d want,” Carroll said.
Defensively, he ranked third nationally with three blocked shots per game last season but has much to improve upon in overall defense and rebounding. Carroll said Nicholson’s body hasn’t yet caught up to his skill level. Once that happens, it’ll be easier for him to make his mark on defense.
Nicholson arrived at DU weighing 260 pounds with “a midriff bulge,” as Carroll describes it.
After losing the baby fat, he has worked with DU strength and conditioning coach Joel Raether to build muscle. He’s back to 260 pounds, but it’s better distributed.
Little time is left for music. Nicholson changed his major to communication at DU and has put away the sax for now, figuring it would be too loud for his apartment. He unwinds in the evenings by playing a keyboard, using headphones, so as not to bother the neighbors. Former NBA player and current jazz recording artist Wayman Tisdale remains an idol.
“Right now it’s all about basketball and studies,” Nicholson said. “But who knows what will happen (with music) in the long run?”
In the meantime, Nicholson has a fascinating story to tell, and Carroll can open his speaking engagements by saying upset alumni told him to go find some talent in the band.
“I don’t think it’s a joke anymore,” Nicholson said.
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
