McDonogh’s Aleah Nelson Joins the 1,000 Point Club

Coming into Saturday’s game against Imhotep Charter from Philadelphia, McDonogh guard Aleah Nelson needed 12 points to reach the elite status of 1,000 point career scorer. When she soared in for a contested lay up late in the fourth quarter, she landed on the floor, got up quickly and celebrated the hoop while running back to play defense. She looked a little confused momentarily when her coach Brad Rees called timeout and her teammates rushed the court to celebrate her milestone. I had a chance to chop it up for a few minutes with the University of Cincinatti recruit after the game.

PGH: How did you get started playing ball?

Aleah: It’s funny how I got started. I originally got into sports when my dad would throw a football to me in the basement. He used to sneak me downstairs when the Ravens played and would throw the ball around and talk about sports. Then, during summer camp one day I started shooting a ball and just fell in love with the sport. I started playing with the Central Maryland Attitude which later merged into the Maryland Belles.

PGH: Did you realize you had reached your milestone? You looked a little confused at first…

Aleah: No, I didn’t realize I was at 1,000. I knew I only needed 12 points but I’m not the type to track my points in a game. I’m more worried about my team winning. I honestly had a terrible shooting game so when I scored that last basket I was confused until I saw the team celebrating. That was my goal since freshman season.

PGH: Who is your favorite player?

Aleah: My favorite player has always been Rajon Rondo. Just like him I would like to think of myself as a pass first point guard. I always admired and respected him, especially when he was with the Celtics.

PGH: Tell me about a funny basketball road trip…

Aleah: In the 8th grade my Belles team went bowling. One of my teammates, Kolby Brown, went to go bowl and she lost the ball, went over the red line and slid down the lane. That’s probably the funniest story in all my years with the team.

PGH: Who has been your funniest teammate?

Aleah: That has to be Ryann Evans, one of my Belles teammates. Sometimes she wouldn’t have to even say anything to make me laugh.

PGH: What’s the ultimate game day meal?

Aleah: Broccoli, mac and cheese and a steak. That always fills me up and I always clean my plate.

PGH: What’s the game day play list right now?

Aleah: We always switch it up but we like to have Drake, Meek Mill, Lil Uzi, and Gucci Mane. Those artists have a lot of good songs to pump us up.

PGH: What made you choose Cincinatti for college?

Aleah: The coaching staff and how physically comfortable I was when I stepped on campus. it’s true what they say, that you will know where you want to go when you step on a certain campus. For me it was Cincinatti. They coaches have the same sense of humor I have but are also very competitive like me.