Senior Spotlight: Nina Carlson
 
Nina Carlson is a native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and joined the University of Idaho women's basketball team as a freshman in the 2017-18 season after graduating from Lake City Highschool. Carlson has played in 69 games, including five starts, for the Vandals over her four-year career. She has scored 92 points and totaled 90 rebounds during her time at Idaho. She scored a career-high eight points and had a career-high six rebounds in 2018 against San Francisco.

Carlson started playing basketball originally largely in part to the influence of her parents who are both college basketball coaches. 

"If you think back to pre-kindergarten when I'm out there playing with my parents, that was a big reason," said Carlson. "Over time it became more than that. As I got older and continued playing basketball, I watched a lot of my parents' players and was able to see how they grew as players and people. By watching that I knew that playing college basketball was always something I wanted to do. I didn't know if I would have the opportunity, but I knew I needed to give it my best shot because it was something, I wanted so bad."

Carlson was a three-sport athlete at Lake City Highschool, competing in basketball, volleyball, and track, but dreamt of playing college basketball. That dream became possible at Idaho.

"My parents knew the coaching staff here and both went to school here, so they were very familiar with Idaho and that had a big influence on the way I viewed Idaho." said Carlson. "On my visit during my junior year it really felt like home and I just couldn't really imagine myself anywhere else. I liked what the program was about, the winning culture and the family culture."

Carlson has been part of 77 wins while at Idaho which included a Big Sky Regular Season Championship, and two WNIT appearances.
There isn't one specific memory that sticks out to Carlson during her time at Idaho, but the quality time spent with her teammates and the team's successes are memories that will last forever.  

"At the end of the day, ten years from now, the things I will remember the most are just the bus rides with my teammates, and all the laughs or time spent in the locker room," said Carlson. "I love coming into the year with a new team and getting to bond with a new group. We've had a lot of success as a team over the years and I think that is something that will stick with me the most."

Despite the adversity and chaos of the 2020-21 season Carlson will always remember how close she became with her teammates this year.

"It's really made our team a lot closer," said Carlson. "We've been able to lean on each other during the hard times and I think that it has brought us all together."
Carlson will graduate from the University of Idaho with a degree in Exercise Science and Health – Physical Education.

Head Coach Jon Newlee on Nina Carlson

"Nina has definitely had a roller coaster ride during her four years as a Vandal. Through it all she has remained upbeat and willing to play any role to help her team be successful. Anything I have asked her to do she has always done to the best of her ability, and with a positive attitude. She has done a great job of stepping in whenever she is needed and providing a positive impact. She has put in a lot of extra work during her four years to make herself be the best possible player she can be. Through her four years she has always been there for her teammates, whether it be going to take extra shots with them or just listening to their problems and helping them navigate through them any way she could. She is the ultimate teammate! Nina has really grown into a big leadership position for our team, and her loyalty to the program is unquestioned. Nina has a great basketball mind, and I know she will be an excellent coach and teacher after graduation. I wish her nothing but the best in her bright future!"
 

 Carlson and the Vandals will celebrate senior day on Mar. 5, in their final regular season game against Montana at 6 p.m. in Memorial Gym.