Nijal Pearson

Pearson grew up in Beaumont, Texas and attended Central High School. As a senior, he averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds and nine assists per game and was named the co-District 22-5A MVP and Class 5A All-State by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.^[1][2]

Pearson was a starter at small forward for the Bobcats as a true freshman and averaged 13.3 points (second highest on the team), 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.^[3][4] As a sophomore, he led the team with 15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game and was named to the third team all-Sun Belt Conference.^[5] Pearson was named first team All-Sun Belt as a junior after averaging 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.^[6] He was named the MVP of the 2018 Portland Classic after scoring 33 point in the championship game against Portland.^[7] He became Texas State's all-time leading scorer on January 18, 2020, in a 23-point performance in a win over ULM, breaking Charles Sharp's 60-year-old record of 1,884 points.^[8][9] Pearson scored his 2,000th career point against Georgia Southern on February 20, 2020.^[10] Pearson was named the Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year as a senior.^[11] He averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.^[12]

In May 2020, Pearson agreed to terms with Chorale Roanne Basket of the LNB Pro A.^[13]

On January 30, 2021, he has signed with Lahti Basketball of the Finnish Korisliiga.^[14]

On August 19, 2021, he has signed with Rostock Seawolves of the German ProA.^[15]

On July 31, 2023, he has signed with CSM Oradea of the Romanian Liga Națională.^[16]

On September 28, 2024, he signed with Rostock Seawolves of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) for a second stint.^[17]

On July 25, 2025, he signed with Anwil Włocławek of the Polish Basketball League (PLK).^[18]