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Logan • Utah State has officially announced the hiring of Spencer Nelson as an assistant basketball coach.

Nelson replaces Chris Jones, a long-time Aggie assistant who recently took a job as the director of basketball operations at the University of Utah. Nelson's hiring was first reported last week.

"First and foremost, Spencer is an Aggie — not only that, but an Aggie great," Utah State head coach Tim Duryea said. "He was a phenomenal player and the best leader as a player that I have been around in my 15 years [here].

"He has a passion, not only for basketball but for this institution. He came here, got his degree, got a graduate degree, did an internship on Wall Street and had a 10-year pro career overseas. I don't think there's anyone more qualified to sell what Utah State University can do for a student-athlete than Spencer Nelson."

During Nelson's final three seasons at Utah State, the Aggies went 73-21, including 42-12 in the Big West Conference. USU shared the regular season championship in 2004 and won Big West tournament titles in 2003 and 2005.

Nelson played professionally in Germany, Italy, Greece and Spain. He retired in 2015 and has spent the last year working in private equity with the Cicero Group in Salt Lake City. He also worked in sports broadcasting.

"I am extremely excited and humbled at this chance to return to Utah State," Nelson said. "I am very appreciative of coach Duryea in giving me this opportunity to be a part of the Utah State basketball program again."

Nelson is the fourth former player — and first over two decades — to join the Utah State men's basketball coaching staff. The others were Reid Newey (1992-93), Jim Boatwright (1989-91) and Jimmy Moore (1988-93).

— Steve Luhm