Name: Luke Nelson
Major: Undecided; pursuing business economics
Age: 18
Hometown: Worthing, England
Relationship Status: Single
What are your hobbies? Video games and hanging out with my friends.
What are you involved with on campus? I’m on the men’s basketball team. Other than that…that’s about it really.
How has basketball shaped your social life at UCI? It takes up a lot of my time. When I’m not training or weight lifting, I am usually tired. I probably only go out about once a week. A lot of the guys on the team, though, have been here for several years, so I have met quite a few people through them. My teammates are basically like family, so I am usually hanging out with them.
What was the recruitment process like? Long. It started when I was 16. The assistant coach at UCI met me in Macedonia. We exchanged email addresses and emailed back and forth for about a year before he offered me an official visit to UCI.
What do you look for in a girl? Oh god! That’s a bit personal. She should be easy going and fun to be around with a good sense of humor. She would also have to understand that basketball comes first at the moment.
What would be your ideal date? I’m not really much of a dater. I don’t really have much time to focus on much else besides basketball. If I really had to think about it, I guess a nice meal somewhere. Couldn’t tell you where. It’s not about where you are but who you are with.
Who is your celebrity crush? I could give you a list! My favorite though would have to be Beyonce.
What made you choose UCI? First of all, the basketball program. The coach is here and the players are here. Second, the academics are great. The third thing is the living standards. The dorms are amazing and the weather is great. Life here is just great.
How long have you been living in the U.S.? Not even a year. I moved here for Summer Session II, so around the beginning of August.
What is it like being an international student? To me, it hasn’t felt any different–I feel comfortable. It’s been pretty normal besides a few differences, like the accent.
Do you ever get homesick? Until now, I haven’t. Knock on wood. I’ve had a great time since I have been here and I speak to my parents often, which has helped delay the homesickness.
What are your plans after graduation? If all my dreams come true, play in the NBA. If not, I would love to play somewhere in Europe. Something basketball related.
What are your future career aspirations? I would love to be involved in sports somehow. My dad organizes sports in the local community, back in England. I would love to help kids get involved in sports. Playing a sport really helps you as a kid and I really want to be a part of that.
What is your most memorable moment at UCI so far? Winning the regular season championship, holding the trophy and cutting down the nets.
What do you hope to accomplish before graduation? Make the NCAA tournament. I haven’t really thought of much else, to be honest. Obviously, I want to graduate with a good GPA. I don’t want to just scrape by; that is not the kind of person I am.
What is a random fact about you? I didn’t have my first girlfriend until I was 17.