Rundown Features S.B. High Standout Roberto Nelson and Three Christmastime Tournaments

If you see Roberto Nelson on the street, chances are he’ll be dribbling a basketball.

“I carry a ball everywhere,” said the Santa Barbara High junior, a 6ʹ3Ê° guard with a national profile. “I’m working on my handles.”

Nelson’s willingness to work on all phases of his game is one reason that Dons coach Chris Hantgin calls him “the best player I’ve ever coached.” Hantgin puts him in a class with such erstwhile standouts as Shantay Legans, Mike Garrett, Rob Ramaker, and Jon Korfas. As for his future potential, the coach drops some even bigger names: “I envision Roberto as a big, physical point guard in the mold of a Baron Davis or Jason Kidd.” With that reputation come stratospheric expectations, but both the player and coach prefer the focus to be put on the team.