Olivia Nelson Headshot

Olivia Nelson

Nelson will officially join the Griffon coaching staff in May 2025.

She just concluded a highly decorated playing career, spending four seasons at Central Missouri before becoming a first team All-Big Sky Conference player at Idaho this past season.

Nelson had a remarkable career at Central Missouri under former Missouri Western head coach and Hall of Famer Dave Slifer. In four years at UCM, Nelson averaged 13.4 points per game, shooting 561-for-1183 (47.4%) from the field over 117 starts.

Nelson was a two-time All-MIAA Second Team selection, she was named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team and received an All-MIAA Honorable Mention nod as well.

After her time at UCM, Nelson finished her college career at Division I University of Idaho under head coach Carrie Eighmey. Nelson was honored as the unanimous Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year and secured a spot on the Big Sky First Team.

Nelson started all 30 games for the Vandals in 2024-25, averaging 14.4 points per game with a shooting percentage of 41.9% (153-for-365). She joined the prestigious 2,000-point club in her final collegiate game against Montana in the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

Nelson, a Liberty, Missouri native, obtained her master's degree in chemistry from Idaho in 2025, following the completion of her bachelor's degrees in chemistry and secondary education from Central Missouri in 2024.