Battle Ground man earns gold in basketball at World Senior Games

Jim Nielsen of Battle Ground won two gold medals in basketball at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

Playing with the Clearwater Aces in the 70-74 age division, Nielsen helped the Florida-based team win both 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 tournaments. Nielsen, 73, was asked to fill a roster spot for the tournament by the Aces coach, who has played with Nielsen in the past.

“It was a real honor to win this tournament and to play for this team,” Nielsen said. “It feels good to play for one of the best teams in the country.”

A 1961 graduate of Battle Ground High School, Nielsen played basketball for the Tigers and has continued to play the sport. “I am lucky I can still play,” he said.

Nielsen still plays basketball several days a week in Vancouver, but this is the first time in several years he has played in a national tournament.

Of the eight men on the team, Nielsen was the only one from west of the Mississippi River. At 6-foot-3 he prefers to play near the basket. Rebounding and defense are his strength, he said.

“I love to rebound. I love being where the action is,” he said.

It was the 10th time Nielsen has participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games. In 2009 he was on a team that won a basketball gold medal in the 65-69 age division at the Huntsman World Senior Games.

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