Nicholson earns national attention on SI.com

Brainy Bonnies F Nicholson a 'Bona-fide' talent
Written by John Wawrow - Associated Press

Full Article on SI.com

OLEAN, N.Y. (AP) - It's pop quiz time for St. Bonaventure's big brain, sophomore forward Andrew Nicholson.

What does Nicholson consider more difficult: posting up against Saint Joseph's center Ahmad Nivins - the reigning Atlantic 10 Conference player of the year - or spending four hours every Tuesday in Chemistry Lab 301?

Nicholson's answer comes without hesitation: "Chemistry, I'd say.''

Not a surprising response, perhaps, for a guy who's solid in the classroom and on the court. The 6-foot-9, 225-pound player is even being mentioned as a prospect for pro ball.

Nicholson was the A-10 rookie of the year in 2008-09 after leading the nation's freshmen with a 60.2 field-goal percentage and 81 blocked shots. And it just so happens that Nicholson is attending St. Bonaventure as a - no, you didn't read this wrong - chemistry major.

Though Nicholson chuckles at the notion of being called "a geek,'' he's the nerd who might have the last laugh. Entering his second year, he's in a position to put the long-suffering Bonnies back on the map of credibility after the program endured seven seasons without a winning record, dating to NCAA sanctions stemming from a player eligibility scandal in 2003.

Beyond that, there's already a buzz growing that Nicholson has a bona fide shot at an NBA career.

And that's not just the perception of Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt, who informed Nicholson and the player's parents of that possibility at the end of last season.

Listen to what Saint Joseph's Phil Martelli has to say.

"I think Andrew is a marvelous young player,'' said Martelli who, in 15 years at Saint Joseph's, has had numerous players make it to the NBA. "When I put on my radar screen guys in our league that are going to play in that very special league with only the best players in the whole world, I think Andrew is on track to do that.''

Shy and polite, Nicholson barely reacts when told of Martelli's praise.

"Oh, thanks, that's motivation,'' said Nicholson, who acknowledges he probably doesn't yet grasp his potential. "If someone sees it, I guess it can really happen.''

Nicholson has been a revelation. He was barely recruited out of suburban Toronto because he didn't begin playing organized basketball until his junior season in high school, and only after a coach coaxed him to join the team. Nicholson then blew a chance to gain attention among top U.S. schools after he broke his ankle and missed several high-profile summer tournaments before his senior year.

The Bonnies aren't complaining. In November 2007, Nicholson became Schmidt's first high school recruit, who took over a ragtag team that at the time didn't have enough scholarship players to hold a proper scrimmage.

Schmidt happily remembers meeting Nicholson, and how he literally had to throw away the recruiting manual. Never before did the coach recall having to hard-sell a prospect on the chemistry department which, by chance, is housed in a newly built science building.

"What future NBA player would ever say that he's going to Bonaventure because they have a new science building?'' Schmidt said. "I mean, it's great, it's refreshing. But very few kids that are going to have a chance to pay at the next level would have that mentality.''

Nicholson's heavy course load has led Schmidt to make certain adjustments by scheduling practices around his star player. That doesn't mean Nicholson gets preferential treatment.

"I told Andrew when we recruited him that, 'I want you to be a chemistry major. If that's what you want, go for it. But understand that you have a responsibility as a basketball player as well, so you're going to have to balance those things,''' Schmidt said.

Nicholson's shown no signs of strain.

He was one of two players in the country last season to rank in the top 15 in field-goal percentage and blocks. He averaged 12.5 points and six rebounds in 30 games, including 25 starts, while earning six conference rookie of the week honors.

Nicholson's presence helped the Bonnies to a 15-15 finish and their first berth in the A-10 tournament in four years.

If the Bonnies intend to build off that finish, there's plenty riding on Nicholson to show he's capable of handling the additional attention opponents are expected to pay him by doubling down on him in the post. It'll be on him to make smart decisions by finding open teammates if he's covered.

Nicholson's preparing for that prospect, and it's a challenge Schmidt doesn't hide from his player.

"How badly does he want to be the best?'' Schmidt said. "He's not nearly as good as he needs to be. He understands that. And that's one of the great things about coaching Andrew - he's never satisfied.''

Nicholson was drawn to chemistry because he was fascinated with how things are put together. He took up basketball because it was a game that came naturally.

Just don't suggest either has come easily for him.

"No, you've still got to work for it,'' he said, noting the most recent reminder came last month, when he learned the Bonnies were picked to finish 11th in the A-10 preseason poll.

"We shouldn't be 11th,'' Nicholson said. "We'll definitely show them.''

That wasn't the scientist in him talking.