Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women’s basketball redshirt freshman Mackenzie Nelson has been a spark of energy for the Hokies this season. The 5-foot-8 guard uses a multifaceted skill set that has largely contributed to the team’s 15-7 record, oftentimes serving as both a facilitator and elite defender. With a handful of matchups still left in the season, the Connecticut native’s time to shine is just beginning.
Nelson found the bulk of her high school minutes at St. Luke’s High School in New Canaan, Connecticut. As a member of the Storm for three years, she served as captain of the team for her entire tenure, leading the team to an NEPSAC championship in her senior year and scoring 1,000 points in the process. The guard received local and national acclaim for her impressive performance in her final season, earning FAA All-First Team and All-NEPSAC recognition alongside a Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year nod. Nelson was nationally ranked No. 65 in the 2023 ESPN HoopGurlz rankings after completing her three years at St. Luke’s and would arrive in Blacksburg after declaring in the summer of the same year.
In her first year at Virginia Tech, she would redshirt and learn from an All-American as well as teammate Carleigh Wenzel and not see game action on the season. However, with the arrival of first-year head coach Megan Duffy in Blacksburg, Nelson has now found an opportunity to log minutes and make an impact.
“[She’s] a huge spark for us off the bench,” said Duffy, following her coaching debut in the 99-57 victory against UNC Wilmington on Nov. 4. “When you redshirt a year, you’re just so eager to get out there and get minutes...she’s kind of that ‘Energizer bunny.’”
Through 22 contests this season, Nelson’s 5.6 points, 2 rebounds and 3.4 assists on an average 24.1 minutes per game has been crucial to the success of the group so far. At 5-foot-8, the Connecticut native’s presence on the glass is also felt, securing 43 of her 45 total rebounds on the defensive end.