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Oregon State’s Nelson shatters backboard, breaks nose

They need stronger rims in Macedonia. That or Roberto Nelson’s been hitting the weight room.

During Oregon State’s recent “Beavers Without Borders” service trip overseas, the guard provided what one teammate called an “incredible feat” by shattering a backboard during a pick-up game. Oh, also? He broke his nose when it happened.

Here’s the video that’s been making the Internet rounds. Fast forward two minutes and get ready for a little blood.

The players were told not to dunk because the rims were old and didn’t have flexible structures. But the move still surprised Nelson. Apparently you don’t need to be Shaq to break one.

“I don’t know how the freaking rim broke,” Nelson said. “It broke on the way up. I barely touched it and the whole thing just popped. I don’t know, maybe I’m strong. Maybe I can say I’m strong because I broke a rim. Not a Fisher Price one. It’s just crazy, man.”

It should give Nelson, who averaged 7.5 points and 1.8 minutes a game as a redshirt freshman last season, a big boost for next season, both in confidence and in reputation.

After all, not everyone can lay claim to a shattered backboard.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.