PHILADELPHIA, PA (10/2/03) - Saint Joseph's senior Jameer Nelson continues to collect the preseason accolades as the point guard was named to the All-America 1st Team by both Street & Smith's College Basketball and Basketball News. The Hawks were also ranked 19th in the preseason Top 25 as chosen by Street & Smith's. Of Nelson, Street & Smith's said, "After spurning the NBA Draft, the Hawk legend has a chance to go down in college hoops annals as one of the last great four-year players." Nelson, a 5-11 point guard, put himself in the race for the 2004 National Player of the Year honors when he opted out of the NBA Draft and decided to return to Saint Joseph's for his fourth year. He is the Atlantic 10's leading returning scorer (19.7 ppg) and enters his senior season with a chance to break the school record for career points. He currently has 1,435 points, 550 points behind current record holder Bernard Blunt (1,985; 1990-95). As a junior, Nelson scored 591 points, which ranks as the fifth highest season total in school history. He is also 38 assists shy of becoming the school's all-time leader. In addition to Street & Smith's and , Nelson has been named a preseason All-America first team selection by: The John R. Wooden Award; Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook; Lindy's College Basketball; and Athlon Sports College Basketball. - SJU-