Perhaps the best player to wear the Bonnies uniform in the modern era, Nicholson played an immense role in returning St. Bonaventure men's basketball to national relevance.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Ontario finished his career ranking second in school history for points with 2,103. His four-year career would culminate in the program's first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship in 2012 and his selection in the first round of the NBA Draft that summer.
He made an immediate impact, earning A-10 Rookie of the Year superlatives after leading all freshmen nationwide in field goal percentage (.602) and blocks (81) during 2008-09. His six Rookie of the Week honors that season remain a program record.
A four-time All-Conference pick, he averaged 18.5 points and 8.4 rebounds with 63 blocks on the way to A-10 Player of the Year and All-American Honorable Mention distinction as a senior. In so doing, he became just the second Bonaventure men's basketball player to take home both Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year during his career. He also became the first player in A-10 history to be named the conference Player of the Week four straight times, scoring at least 19 points in each of his final 12 games.
Nicholson cemented his spot in Bona lore with his 26-point, 14-rebound, eight-block effort in the 2012 A-10 Championship Game to capture Most Outstanding Player honors as the Bonnies cut the nets following their victory over Xavier in Atlantic City.
One of five players to surpass 2,000 points in school history, he continues to rank near the top of many career categories in the program record book including made free throws (456, second), field goal percentage (.575, third) and rebounds (887, fifth). In the 11 years since his graduation, no other Bona's player has recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same game since he did so as a senior vs. Duquesne.Â
He has enjoyed a pro career now spanning over a decade, including time with three NBA teams.
Today, his No. 44 jersey is in the Reilly Center rafters along with the greats of Bonnies Basketball history.
Nicholson was a 'first ballot' Hall of Famer, earning induction in his first year of eligibility.
In Bona's Centennial Season, he was selected as a member of theÂ
Bonnies All-Time Team.
Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Â
