Izaiyah Nelson makes it 10 total draftees in program history for USF men’s basketball. ORACLE PHOTO / JEANELLE HENDERSON

Surrounded by family and friends, USF senior forward Izaiyah Nelson’s NBA dream came true Wednesday night when he was selected 51st overall to the Orlando Magic.

Originally drafted to the Washington Wizards, Nelson’s rights were traded to Orlando in a three-team draft-night deal. 

The Magic acquired the No. 51 pick and cash considerations while sending the No. 46 pick to Washington and the No. 60 pick to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Nelson is the first USF player to be drafted since Dominique Jones — taken 25th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies before trading him to the Dallas Mavericks — in 2010. 

Nelson said the way USF embraced him made his lone season in Tampa feel special before the NBA Draft.

“USF made a humongous impact on me,” he said to USF Athletics. “They treated me like I was one of their own, like I’ve been here all four years. What more can you ask from a school?”

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Nelson’s path to the NBA included stops at showcase events during the pre-draft process in May and June.

He first participated at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where 64 college seniors competed for invitations to the NBA Draft Combine. His performance earned him a spot at the combine in Chicago.

At the combine, Nelson measured 6-foot-8.25, 219 pounds without shoes and showcased his athleticism through on-court drills and scrimmages, helping solidify his status as a second-round prospect.

He posted a max vertical jump of 38.5 inches, which ranked second-best to Flory Bidunga’s 40.5 inches out of the 16 centers at the combine.

While his athletic testing caught the attention of NBA teams, Nelson said he is continuing to focus on expanding his offensive game through training during the offseason.

“I’m working on my three-point and ball handling,” Nelson said in a video on X. “Once I get that, I’ve got the whole package. Nobody can stop me.”

The showing earned him pre-draft workouts with teams including the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors, according to HoopsMatic.

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Nelson’s rise came from a breakout season with the Bulls after transferring from Arkansas State University in March 2025.

He averaged 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals per game while leading USF to American Conference regular-season and tournament championships and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012.

He also became the first player in conference history to sweep the conference’s three major individual awards in the same season — earning Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors.

Toward the end of last season, Nelson said former Bulls basketball head coach Bryan Hodgson’s belief in him is a key reason he even has the chance to reach the NBA.

“Once he told me that I can get to the league, but I’m not league ready, I decided to put my head down and grind,” Nelson said. “And we’re here now.”

Hodgson hosted Nelson at his home on draft night and has coached him three of the last four seasons between Arkansas State and USF, said the draft is life-changing for Nelson.

“Watching Zai’s journey has been incredible,” Hodgson said in a post on X. “I’m so proud of the man he’s become. His best basketball is still in front of him, and the Orlando Magic got a great one on and off the court.”