By Ryan Pickens

Halle Nelson's journey as a Utah Valley athlete is nothing short of remarkable. It is a story of relentless determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the game of basketball. From the outside looking in, it is easy to assume that playing the game is where the struggles begin and end. But for Nelson, stepping onto the court is far from a given.
 
Her path to this point has been marked by adversity and significant physical challenges, yet she continues to persevere, refusing to let any obstacle stand in her way.
 
A JOURNEY OF PERSERVANCE
 
Nelson's basketball journey began at Utah State, where she showed promise as a freshman, even starting her first game. Unfortunately, her career took an unexpected turn when she suffered a severe knee injury during a nonconference game.
 
"I went knee-to-knee with an opponent, and it knocked my kneecap to the side of my leg," she said. "I was glad I didn't tear my ACL or anything too serious, but it was bad enough that I needed surgery." Her first surgery, unfortunately, did not go as planned, and she found herself dealing with persistent pain and swelling. Nelson's determination to overcome her injury led her to Utah Valley, where she hoped for a fresh start.
 
However, her challenges did not end with her knee. In the summer of 2022, after a team trip to Europe, she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including chest pain and difficulty breathing. A trip to the hospital revealed a life-threatening condition – multiple blood clots in her lungs.  Doctors discovered that her first rib was pinching a vein, causing the blood clots to form. To address this, they decided to remove the rib, but the surgery took a terrifying turn when her subclavian vein burst, leading to a collapsed lung.
 
Nelson spent three days in the ICU, battling not just for her basketball career but for her life.
"I was honestly just trying to survive. Basketball was the last thing on my mind," she said.
Despite the countless setbacks and moments of despair, Nelson remained resilient. She found strength in her teammates and coaches, who supported her throughout her recovery. Her experiences taught her the importance of gratitude and resilience.
 
"There were lots of tears shed. It was the toughest time of my life mentally," she said. "But, at the end of the day, you must find life outside of basketball. You have to surround yourself with good friends, family, a support group, school, and more. That was my focus, even though it was so hard every day."
 
THE COMEBACK
 
Nelson's determination to return to the court was fueled by an intrinsic motivation, a chip on her shoulder, and a burning desire to prove herself. "I've always had my family, friends, teammates, and coaches support me, but it was going to be up to me to find the strength to keep going," she said. "I play with a chip on my shoulder, and I made it to this level. I was not going to let these injuries stop me if I could keep going."
 
After enduring countless surgeries, rehab sessions, and setbacks, Nelson made her long-awaited return to the court. She vividly remembers the moment when her coach called her name to check into a game. "My entire family was there. When he called me up to the table to check in, I was shaking and antsy. I've waited and done so much to get back to this point – to even just suit up and be on the court," she said.
 
Nelson appeared for only three minutes against New Mexico State, but the taste of competition reignited her passion, and she was determined to experience it again. "I get a taste of things, and I'm like, I'm going to get that again," she said. "That's when I knew, even with all these issues, I'm going to get back to that moment where I felt antsy and ready to go when coach called my name to get back out on the court."
 
She returned to the floor, playing in 26 games in the 2023-2024 season before playing a career-high 29 games in the 2024-2025 season, averaging just over 23 minutes per game while adding career highs of 8.0 PPG and 6.9 RPG, finishing the season with over 200 rebounds.
 
The Wolverines reached new heights last season, with Nelson helping them to their first postseason victory in the WNIT against Air Force in their second postseason appearance in their D1 era.
 
CHASING A CHAMPIONSHIP
 
As Nelson enters her final season at Utah Valley, her goals extend beyond personal achievements. She is determined to help her team win a WAC championship, especially in the conference's final year.
 
"Whatever my role is on this team, whether it's getting an extra rebound when it counts or making an extra three, I want to do my part to reach our goal of winning the WAC," she said. "It's wide open for anyone to grab, and we're going to grab it."
 
Nelson's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the strength of the human spirit. She has overcome adversity that would have ended the careers of many athletes, but she refused to give up.
 
Her experiences have shaped her into a stronger, more grateful individual, and she is determined to make the most of every moment on the court.
 
In a world where athletes are often defined by their statistics and achievements, Nelson's story reminds us that the journey is just as important as the destination.
 
It is a story of overcoming obstacles, finding strength in adversity, and never giving up on one's dreams.
 
As she continues her journey with the Wolverines, Nelson's story serves as an inspiration to all who face challenges in their own lives, showing that with determination and resilience, anything is possible.