Sixers’ Front Office Member Honored by Orlando Magic on Friday

The Orlando Magic paid respect to Jameer Nelson.

As the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Orlando Magic on Friday night, one of their staffers was honored on the court.

Jameer Nelson, a Chester-born former NBA veteran, made a name for himself while playing for the Sixers’ Friday night opponent. After spending four years playing collegiately at Saint Joseph’s, Nelson became the 20th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, joining the Orlando Magic.

For ten seasons, Nelson starred with the Magic and carved out a successful career for himself as a full-time starter. Appearing in over 650 games, Nelson averaged 13 points and five assists while wearing a Magic jersey. 

got Magic legend @jameernelson in the O 🪄@teleties pic.twitter.com/S0DnpEjMJu

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 20, 2024

In more than half of the total seasons he spent in Orlando, Nelson helped the Magic through the playoffs. He had 39 postseason starts, and averaged 15 points and five assists in the postseason throughout his tenure with the Magic.

Nelson didn’t finish his career in Orlando. After a successful stint with the Magic, the one-time All-Star landed a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. 

Eventually, he was traded to the Boston Celtics and flipped to the Denver Nuggets less than a month later. After his lone rune with the Nuggets, Nelson joined the New Orleans Pelicans. Months later, the Pelicans traded him to the Detroit Pistons, which became Nelson’s final run as a player in 2018.

Nelson quickly made the transition from player to front-office member. A few years back, he joined the 76ers’ organization by becoming the assistant GM for the team’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. This year, Nelson was promoted and named the Blue Coats’ GM.