Full circle: Tucson’s Evan Nelson comes home to the Arizona Wildcats

TUCSON — Evan Nelson’s story feels like it was made for the movies.

As a kid, he sat in the stands at McKale Center, cheering for the Arizona Wildcats and dreaming of the day he’d wear that same jersey. Now, years later, that dream has become reality.

The Tucson native and former Salpointe Catholic star is back home. But this time, as a Wildcat.

Nelson’s basketball journey started early. He grew up immersed in Tucson hoops culture, idolizing Arizona players and spending hours in the gym with a ball in his hands.

At Salpointe Catholic High School, he led the Lancers to their first-ever boys’ basketball state championship, cementing his name in local sports history.

“I mean coaches who really supported me, and even teachers and administrators all, like, were so invested in what I was do