Nov. 13, 2002

WACO, Texas - Baylor University has signed big-man Tyrone Nelson of Hempstead (Texas) High School to a national letter of intent, head basketball coach Dave Bliss announced Wednesday.

"We are thrilled to have Tyrone join us in the coming year," Bliss said. "He continues our direction of bringing big athletic players to Baylor. We look forward to him contributing right away."

A 6-9 forward/center, Nelson averaged 29 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks as a junior at Hempstead last season. He was named to the TABC Class 3A All-State first team and MVP of District 25-AAA following his junior year.

A highly sought recruit nationwide, Nelson is included on several national top-100 recruiting lists. He was rated the 60th-best recruit by TheInsidersHoops.com, No. 64 by Basketball News, No. 70 by The Sporting News, No. 79 by PrepStars, No. 90 by RivalsHoops and No. 125 by Hoop Scoop. Street & Smith???sup>TMs named Nelson an honorable mention prep All-America.

As a junior Nelson recorded a 42-point, 15-rebound, 15-block and 15-assist performance in 28 minutes in a victory over Halletsville High School. He was rated the No. 13 forward nationally by TheInsidersHoops.com and the 19th-best power forward by RivalsHoops.