VALLEJO — DeMarcus Nelson barely had time to catch his breath after all the hellos, high-fives and hugs moments before his jersey retirement ceremony.
The 6-foot-4, former Duke basketball captain had more than enough family, friends and supporters in the stands on Tuesday night as his alma mater Vallejo High School made it official that no basketball player will ever don Nelson’s No. 21 jersey again.
As a tribute video was played on a projector on the north end of the court, Nelson received praise from all his former coaches and teammates, which included legendary former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. When they showed Nelson’s high school highlight tape, everyone from old heads to young hoopers oohed and aahed as they watched Nelson drain buckets in a Vallejo uniform.
It was a special night for the tightknit, East Bay community.
Former Vallejo High basketball player Demarcus Nelson speaks after he was presented a frame with a jersey by Vallejo High Athletic Director Josh Ramos during his jersey retirement ceremony at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Nelson played for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Euroleague. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
“This means a lot,” Nelson said. “All these people have touched my life at some point growing up and helped me get to this moment.
“Vallejo is home. This is where it all started. I’ve experienced some great opportunities playing ball in the NBA, overseas or in college. I had some great luxuries. But at the end of the day, there’s no place like home. This is the opportunity to celebrate my home with my home city.”
Nelson played at Vallejo from 2001 to 2003 and finished his senior year at Sheldon High in Sacramento. He still holds the state record for most points in a career with 3,462 and led Sheldon to a state title game in 2004.
As a junior, he averaged 35 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists per game and earned league and section MVP honors.
Named a McDonald’s All-American in 2004, Nelson went on to play at Duke and was an instrumental piece to Krzyzewski’s mid-2000s teams. He was not selected in the 2008 NBA Draft, but signed with the Golden State Warriors later that year. He became the first undrafted rookie to start on opening night.
After a short stint in the NBA, Nelson went on to have a lengthy career overseas that included a French League MVP and championship in 2019. Nelson played in Italy, Croatia, Ukraine, Serbia, Greece, Spain and Germany in his 12-year pro career but said he wouldn’t have the career he had without the community that raised him.
Former Vallejo High basketball player Demarcus Nelson smiles as he speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Nelson played for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Euroleague. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
“I always remember the Friday Night Lights from the football stadium when it was fall. Then in basketball season, everybody’s right there in the gym.” said Nelson, who also played football and baseball. “This school is special. And so for me, I just remember it all.”
Nelson wasn’t just a great athlete, but was also an excellent student. According to former Vallejo basketball coach Duke Brown, Nelson held a 3.9 grade point average and always put his academics before athletics.
“His mother and father raised a wonderful kid,” Brown said. “He would take his shirt off and give it to someone else. That’s the type of kid DeMarcus Nelson is.
“By far, DeMarcus Nelson is the best player I’ve ever coached.”
Nelson’s talents were just as appreciated by those outside the Vallejo community as well. Former Oakland Tech hooper and current St. Mary’s-Berkeley coach Marshall Collins said he still remembers being in awe of Nelson when he was in high school.
“I watched him play in high school, watched him play for the Oakland Soldiers and watched him at Duke,” Collins said. “It’s an honor when you have someone from Northern California on that national stage. I appreciate what he did for NorCal, and it’s not just Vallejo but it’s us.”
As Nelson was introduced to the hundreds of fans and community members in the gym, he couldn’t help but smile.
After he was awarded with his old high school jersey that was encased in a glass frame, Nelson gave a lengthy speech to both Vallejo’s and St. Mary’s varsity teams. He reflected on his career and encouraged the kids who are chasing their basketball dreams to not take anything for granted.
“He stayed humble,” said Nelson’s father, Ron Nelson. “He just stayed so humble and he’s unaffected by what he’s done and the places he’s gone. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
Former Vallejo High basketball player Demarcus Nelson holds a frame with a jersey as he poses for photos with friends and family members during his jersey retirement ceremony at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Nelson played for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Euroleague. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A person holds a souvenir of former Vallejo High basketball player Demarcus Nelson as he speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Nelson played for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Euroleague. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Friends and family members of former Vallejo High basketball player Demarcus Nelson use their cellphones during Nelson’s jersey retirement ceremony at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Nelson played for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Euroleague. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
