By Heather Brown
Greenwich natives Mackenzie and Camdyn Nelson have been familiar names in local basketball circles since their days at Western Middle School, where they began dominating area leagues. Now, the sisters rank among the 1–2% of high school athletes to go on to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
Western Middle School wins the coveted championship banner in 2019 with two sets of sisters on the team, Mackenzie and Camdyn Nelson and Ava and Emma Sollenne, all of whom are now playing Division 1 basketball. Photo courtesy Seth Kalinski
On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the sisters faced each other in a rare and memorable sibling showdown during the Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse ACC women’s basketball game. Coaches, friends, and family back home in Greenwich tuned in to witness the long-awaited moment.
“Their talent from the start was undeniable, but it was their work ethic, discipline, and love for the game that truly set them apart,” said Seth Kalinski, P.E.Teacher and Coach at Western Middle School. “They pushed each other every day, and it showed and still shows on the court.”
According to Kalinski, the Nelson sisters were miles ahead of the competition and it was clear they were going to have an opportunity to play at the Division 1 level. Kalinski and the coaching staff started sending out highlight videos to colleges and immediately got feedback and interest from many schools.
“The girls were so talented both athletically and academically that it was important to support them as much as we could,” Kalinski said.
Camdyn Nelson defending her sister Mackenzie during the Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse ACC women’s basketball game on January 8, 2026.
Mackenzie and Camdyn Nelson on the court following the Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech ACC women’s basketball game in Syracuse, NY on January 8, 2026.
Mackenzie, a 5’9” redshirt sophomore at Virginia Tech, and Camdyn, a 5’9” freshman at Syracuse have developed their skills participating in the town rec programs as well as OGRCC, GBA, Greenwich Boys & Girl Club and High Rise. Both were named Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and featured in Greenwich Magazine’s “Outstanding Teens to Watch in Greenwich” during their senior year of high school.
“Watching Mackenzie and Camdyn playing against each other at such a high level was something special,” Kalinski said. “They have always been fierce competitors so neither was going to give an inch to the other. You see them smiling during the game because of their love for each other but at the same time it was game on.”
Robbie and Drury Nelson talk to ACC Network with custom ¾-zip pullovers from Glenville Logos, representing their daughters’ respective teams.
The ACC Network caught up with parents Robbie and Drury Nelson at Thursday’s game, highlighting the rarity of two sisters competing against each other within the same conference.
“I’m really proud of both my girls,” said Robbie Nelson. “We know how hard it is to get to this level and compete at this level. It was a special moment to watch their teams match up and know our friends and family were watching.”
Virginia Tech ultimately secured a 77-57 victory over Syracuse.