Grant Nelson’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 12, 2026 by Candida Lucia

Grant Nelson is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets who comes from a large, sports-loving family in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Born on March 18, 2002, the talented power forward grew up in a household led by his parents, Nels Nelson and Meg Nelson. His family has attracted attention because of its size and the athletic achievements of several of his brothers and sisters.

After playing college basketball at North Dakota State University and the University of Alabama, Nelson began his professional career in 2025 and signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets in September 2026. Away from basketball, he has been romantically linked to track-and-field athlete Soraya Espino. He also comes from a family of ten children, with siblings including Leif, Joel and Erin Nelson. Here is what is publicly known about Grant Nelson’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.

Grant Nelson’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Soraya Espino?

Grant Nelson has been romantically involved with Soraya Espino, an American college track-and-field athlete who represents North Dakota State University.

Their relationship became publicly known through social media posts and coverage of Nelson’s college basketball career.

According to Sportskeeda, the couple appeared together in a social media post on May 3, 2023, while Nelson was still associated with North Dakota State.

Espino continued supporting him after he transferred to the University of Alabama.

In March 2025, following Alabama’s NCAA Tournament elimination against Duke, Espino shared supportive photographs and messages celebrating Nelson’s achievements.

Although the relationship was publicly documented during his college career, there has been limited reliable reporting about their romantic status since Nelson entered professional basketball.

Consequently, it is not independently confirmed whether Nelson and Espino remain together as of October 2026.

Who Is Soraya Espino?

Soraya Espino is an American track-and-field athlete from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She attended Roosevelt High School before joining North Dakota State University, where she competed in sprinting events.

Her official NDSU athletics biography identifies her as a sprinter specializing in events including the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

During high school, Espino finished second in both the 100-meter and 400-meter races at the South Dakota Class AA state championships in 2022.

She also helped Roosevelt High School win a state championship in the 4×100-meter relay.

At North Dakota State, Espino continued developing as a sprinter and competed in Summit League track-and-field competitions.

During the 2024–25 indoor season, she contributed to the Bison distance medley relay team that finished second at the Summit League Championships.

Her official university biography identifies her parents as Julio and Vicki Espino and lists two siblings, Ricky and Cass.

She has studied exercise science, reflecting her interest in athletics and physical performance.

Her relationship with Nelson attracted attention because both were college athletes at North Dakota State before his transfer to Alabama.

Does Grant Nelson Have Children?

There is no publicly verified information indicating that Grant Nelson has children.

The Brooklyn Nets forward has not announced becoming a father, and his official NBA and college basketball biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.

Although he comes from a large family and has spoken frequently about his siblings, those references concern his parents’ children rather than children of his own.

There have also been no reliable public announcements establishing that Nelson is married or engaged.

At 24 years old, Nelson is continuing to establish himself in professional basketball after completing his college career in 2025.

His personal plans concerning marriage and fatherhood have not been publicly documented.

Grant Nelson’s Parents

Grant Nelson’s parents are Nels Nelson and Meg Nelson. Their identities are confirmed in published family interviews, local reporting and the official University of Southern California athletics biography of Grant’s older brother, Leif Nelson.

The couple raised a large family in Devils Lake, North Dakota, where their children were encouraged to participate in sports and pursue their individual interests.

Both parents have been closely involved in Grant’s basketball development and have publicly celebrated his achievements.

Grant Nelson’s Father: Nels Nelson

Nels Nelson is Grant Nelson’s father, a contractor from Devils Lake, North Dakota, who has worked in construction and renovation.

Unlike his son, Nels did not become widely known through professional basketball. However, he has received media attention because of Grant’s success at Alabama and his progression into the NBA.

In a May 2024 interview with the Devils Lake Daily Journal, Nels described the challenges of raising ten children while working to support the family.

He explained that his children were encouraged to develop their own interests rather than being pressured into following their parents’ professional paths.

One childhood story involved Nels purchasing carpentry equipment for Grant and his brother Leif.

When Grant expressed that he did not want to follow his father’s profession, Nels encouraged him to discover a career that genuinely interested him.

This approach helped Grant pursue basketball with a sense of personal responsibility.

Nels also acknowledged that supporting a large family sometimes created financial challenges, particularly when several children were involved in athletic activities.

Nevertheless, he encouraged his children to work hard and pursue opportunities that could help them achieve their goals.

As Grant developed into a promising basketball player, Nels became increasingly involved in supporting his ambitions.

During the 2024 NCAA Tournament, he traveled to watch Alabama compete and witnessed his son’s outstanding performance against North Carolina in the Sweet 16.

In a March 2024 interview with HoopsHD, Nels expressed pride in all ten of his children and their different accomplishments.

He also discussed the achievements of Grant’s siblings, including Leif’s success in track and field, Joel’s basketball championship and Erin’s participation in high school football.

His comments highlighted the importance of family encouragement in the Nelson household.

Grant Nelson’s Mother: Meg Nelson

Meg Nelson is Grant Nelson’s mother and another important influence in his life.

She has helped raise the family’s ten children while maintaining professional responsibilities.

Public professional information associated with Meg identifies connections to FirstChoice Clinic and the University of North Dakota.

She has also been described in published biographical coverage as having a background in nursing.

Although she has balanced work and family responsibilities, Meg has remained closely involved in supporting Grant’s basketball career.

During Alabama’s NCAA Tournament appearances, she followed his performances and traveled to support him when her schedule allowed.

According to a June 2025 Pro Football Network article that cited reporting from InForum, Meg was particularly nervous before important games.

Her husband described how she sometimes became anxious approximately an hour before tip-off because of the pressure surrounding her son’s performances.

Meg also expressed concern about injuries and wanted the players to compete safely.

Her support became especially meaningful when Grant helped Alabama reach the Final Four in 2024.

Although the family received considerable public attention during March Madness, Meg continued balancing the demands of work and parenting.

Both parents also supported Grant’s decision to remain at Alabama for the 2024–25 season rather than immediately pursuing professional basketball.

Grant Nelson’s Siblings: How Many Brothers and Sisters Does He Have?

Grant Nelson has said that he has nine siblings, meaning he comes from a family of ten children.

During a December 2024 interview ahead of Alabama’s game against North Dakota, he explained that finding tickets for his siblings and their families was a significant challenge because so many relatives wanted to attend.

However, an earlier official University of Southern California biography for his brother Leif identified eight siblings. That record names Julie, Justin, Jessica, Jared, Erin, Grant, Erica and Joel as Leif’s brothers and sisters.

Combining that list with Leif’s name establishes eight publicly named siblings of Grant. The difference between the university record and Grant’s later statement has not been clearly explained in available sources.

Several members of the family have achieved success in basketball, football and track and field.

Leif Nelson: Grant Nelson’s Older Brother

Leif Nelson is Grant Nelson’s older brother and a former collegiate track-and-field athlete who specialized in the javelin throw.

Born on July 2, 2000, Leif grew up in Devils Lake and attended Devils Lake High School, where he participated in basketball and athletics.

After graduating in 2019, he initially pursued college basketball at Lake Region State College.

During the 2019–20 season, Leif averaged 9.8 points per game before eventually changing his athletic focus to track and field.

He transferred to Minot State University, where he became one of the school’s leading javelin throwers.

During his time at Minot State, he earned NCAA Division II All-American recognition twice and established a university record with a throw of 72.28 meters.

His success eventually led him to the University of Southern California, where he joined the USC Trojans track-and-field team for the 2024 season.

In February 2024, Leif participated in an interview with USC Athletics and discussed growing up in a large family.

He explained that having numerous brothers and sisters meant there was almost always someone available to play sports with or spend time together.

Leif also acknowledged that Grant was pursuing basketball at Alabama while other members of the family continued developing their own athletic interests.

The brothers shared a particularly competitive relationship during childhood.

According to a 2024 sports feature, Grant regularly played one-on-one basketball against Leif, who was initially taller and physically stronger.

These competitions encouraged Grant to develop his ball handling, perimeter shooting and overall basketball skills.

Joel Nelson: Grant Nelson’s Younger Brother

Joel Nelson is Grant Nelson’s younger brother and another talented basketball player from Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Like Grant and Leif, Joel attended Devils Lake High School and became an important member of the school’s basketball program.

In March 2024, he helped the Devils Lake Firebirds win the North Dakota Division A boys basketball state championship.

The victory was particularly significant because it ended a 99-year championship drought for the school’s boys basketball program.

Joel’s achievement attracted attention while Grant was competing in the NCAA Tournament with Alabama.

In a May 2024 interview with the Devils Lake Daily Journal, Grant joked that his younger brother had accomplished something he and Leif never managed during their high school careers: winning a state basketball championship.

Joel subsequently continued his athletic development at Valley City State University in North Dakota.

According to the university’s 2026–27 athletics roster, he is a sophomore basketball wing standing approximately 6 feet 6 inches tall.

He has also been listed on Valley City State’s track-and-field roster, competing in combined events.

His participation in both basketball and athletics continues the Nelson family’s tradition of involvement in multiple sports.

Erin Nelson: Grant Nelson’s Older Sister

Erin Nelson is Grant Nelson’s older sister and a former high school athlete who attracted attention for competing in American football.

During her time at Devils Lake High School, Erin participated on the school’s varsity football team in 2015 and 2016.

She played primarily as a kicker but also had experience at other positions during her high school football career.

According to a March 2024 interview with the family’s father, Nels Nelson, Erin became the first female player to score a point for the Devils Lake boys football team.

Her involvement in football was especially notable because girls competing on boys varsity football teams were relatively uncommon in the area.

Nels also recalled that Erin received homecoming queen recognition during her high school years.

Her achievements demonstrate that athletic success in the Nelson family has not been limited to basketball or to Grant’s brothers.

Grant Nelson’s Other Brothers and Sisters

In addition to Leif, Joel and Erin, the official USC athletics biography of Leif Nelson identifies several other siblings.

These include Julie Nelson, Justin Nelson, Jessica Nelson, Jared Nelson and Erica Nelson.

Unlike their brothers Grant, Leif and Joel, these family members have not received extensive national media coverage.

The available university records confirm their names and family relationships but do not provide detailed information about their careers, occupations or personal lives.

Leif has stated that all the children in the family participated in sports while growing up, although not everyone pursued athletics at the college level.

The family also has a strong tradition of working together and supporting one another’s achievements.

Despite Grant’s statement that he has nine siblings, the identity of one additional sibling is not established by the USC list, and it would be inappropriate to assign a name without confirmation.

How Grant Nelson’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career

Grant Nelson’s basketball development was closely connected to his upbringing in Devils Lake.

Growing up with numerous siblings gave him opportunities to participate in competitive games and develop his athletic abilities.

His brother Leif was an important opponent during childhood basketball games, helping Grant improve his ability to handle the ball and score from different areas of the court.

Nelson initially received limited attention from major college basketball programs.

He attended Devils Lake High School, where he experienced a significant growth spurt and developed into a highly regarded prospect.

During his senior season in 2019–20, he averaged approximately 25 points, 18 rebounds and 5.7 blocks per game.

His performances earned him North Dakota Mr. Basketball honors in 2020.

He subsequently committed to North Dakota State University, where he played three seasons between 2020 and 2023.

During the 2022–23 season, Nelson averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and earned All-Summit League First Team recognition.

His success led to a transfer to the University of Alabama in June 2023.

At Alabama, he developed into an important member of head coach Nate Oats’ frontcourt.

During the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Nelson delivered one of his most memorable performances against North Carolina, scoring 24 points, collecting 12 rebounds and recording five blocked shots.

The victory helped Alabama reach the Final Four for the first time in program history.

He returned for the 2024–25 season, averaging 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as the Crimson Tide advanced to the Elite Eight.

After completing his college career, Nelson went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft but received an opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets.

He initially joined the organization in October 2025 and later played for its NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.

Nelson made his NBA debut after signing a 10-day contract with Brooklyn in February 2026.

On September 4, 2026, the Nets officially announced that they had signed him to a two-way contract.

His progress from a small North Dakota community to professional basketball represented an important achievement for the entire Nelson family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grant Nelson’s Family

Who are Grant Nelson’s parents?

Grant Nelson’s parents are Nels Nelson and Meg Nelson. His father works in construction, while his mother has a professional background associated with healthcare.

Who is Grant Nelson’s girlfriend?

Grant Nelson has been romantically linked to Soraya Espino, a track-and-field athlete at North Dakota State University. Their relationship was publicly documented through March 2025, but their current status has not been independently verified.

Does Grant Nelson have children?

There are no publicly confirmed reports indicating that Grant Nelson has children.

How many siblings does Grant Nelson have?

Grant Nelson stated in December 2024 that he has nine siblings. However, an earlier official USC athletics biography identifies eight siblings by name, leaving a discrepancy in the publicly documented family information.

Who are Grant Nelson’s brothers?

His publicly identified brothers are Leif Nelson, Joel Nelson, Justin Nelson and Jared Nelson.

Who are Grant Nelson’s sisters?

His publicly identified sisters are Julie Nelson, Jessica Nelson, Erin Nelson and Erica Nelson.

Is Grant Nelson’s brother a professional athlete?

His older brother Leif competed in collegiate track and field at Minot State and USC, earning Division II All-American honors in the javelin throw. His professional athletic status has not been confirmed.

Where is Grant Nelson from?

Grant Nelson is from Devils Lake, North Dakota, where he attended Devils Lake High School before beginning his college basketball career at North Dakota State.

What NBA team does Grant Nelson play for?

Grant Nelson plays for the Brooklyn Nets, who signed him to a two-way contract in September 2026.