Orlando Magic Sign Rookie Izaiyah Nelson to a Two-Way Contract

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have signed center Izaiyah Nelson (eye-ZAY-uh) to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Nelson was selected by Washington in the second round (51st overall) of the 2026 NBA Draft. His draft rights were acquired by Orlando as part of a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks on June 24, 2026.

Nelson (6’10”, 218, 10/1/03) played and started in all 34 games last season with the University of South Florida, averaging 15.9 ppg., 9.6 rpg., 1.2 apg., 1.65 stlpg. and 1.41 blkpg. in 27.2 minpg., while shooting .561 (194-346) from the field. He was named the 2025-26 American Conference Player of the Year, the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the American Conference Newcomer of the Year. Nelson led the Bulls to the American Conference regular season and tournament titles, as well as the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012. He ranked 16th in NCAA Division I in rebounding and logged 18 double-doubles, which ranked ninth in the nation.

Nelson played in 135 career games (106 starts) during four seasons with both Arkansas State University (2022-25) and the University of South Florida (2025-26), averaging 10.3 ppg., 7.8 rpg. and 1.53 blkpg., while shooting .580 (532-918) from the floor. He was named to the All-Sun Belt Third Team in 2024-25.

Nelson will wear #25 with the Orlando Magic.