Colella wrapped up a career ripped from a movie script in 2013. He spent two years of his collegiate career at the NCAA Div. III Penn State-Behrend campus (Erie, Pa.) before matriculating to the main campus, spending two weeks as practice player with the Lady Lions and then joining the NCAA Div. I Penn State team through the open walk-on tryout process in 2010. The left-hander worked his way into a significant role starting six-straight Big Ten games in 2011-12 and then earning a role as a team captain the following year in a senior campaign that saw him become a major part of the Lions core line-up starting 14 games and playing in all 31. He finished his career with 50 career threes and 196 career points while starting 20 games and playing in 57. The Academic All-Big Ten honoree will graduate with a Kinesiology degree.
'Nick is absolutely one of our hardest workers. He siezed the opportunity to get playing time last year and did some great things for us. He is one of our best shooters and we are happy to be able to reward his dedication with a scholarship in his final season.'
- Patrick Chambers
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2012-13 SENIOR
The former walk-on established himself as a consistent, reliable and hardworking member of the Lions core rotation starting the final 13 games of his career and 14 on the season...finished his career with 19 total Big Ten starts...played in all 31 games while leading the team shooting 35.9 percent from three and finishing second with 33 threes and third with 33 assists and 22 steals on the year...led the team taking 17 charges and logging 69 dives on the year...averaged 4.0 ppg while playing 26.5 minutes per game...was a team best 10-of-21 (47.6%) from three in the final eight games, scoring six or more points in five games...set a career high with four steals and equaled a career best four assists while posting seven points in 39 minutes of the Lions[apos] win at Northwestern (3/7)...scored nine points and hit a pair of threes in the Lions[apos] upset of No. 4 Michigan (2/27) and also had nine points in a loss at No. 4 Michigan (2/17)...posted a career high 15 points on a career-best 5-of-7 from three in a victory over Duquesne (12/29)...had nine points on 3-of-5 from three in a win over Army (12/8)...earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
2011-12 JUNIOR
Colella had a break-out season as the walk-on earned a scholarship for the 2012 spring semester and saw significant playing time during the Big Ten season, including six-straight starts...played in 26 games on the year, 17 vs. Big Ten teams, and averaged 2.7 points and 14.9 minutes per game while scoring in 14 games on the year...saw his playing time significantly increase in January as his toughness and effort in practice as well as his outside shot earned him playing time...averaged 20.8 minutes per game in conference play, making 16 threes and posting 4.0 ppg in Big Ten action...made his first career start at Michigan State (2/8), scoring nine points on 3-of-7 from three in a career-high 37 minutes, and started the next five games...posted two double-digit scoring outings, hitting a career-best 3-of-5 from three for 11 points at Indiana (1/22) and hitting a pair of threes for 10 points at Iowa (Feb. 4)... had nine points on 4-of-4 at the foul line and a three-pointer in a win over Iowa (2/16)...hit a three in eight-straight Big Ten games...played 16 minutes or more in 13 Big Ten games and more than 20 minutes in nine...twice pulled down a career-best four rebounds doing so at Wisconsin (2/19) and vs. Northwestern (2/25)...played in his first career game in the season-opener vs. Hartford (11/12), scoring three points.
2010-11 REDSHIRT
Colella made a nice impact on the program in his first season as a walk-on after transferring from a Penn State branch campus...was a strong presence on the scout team as well as off the floor as he took a redshirt season to learn and improve an already strong frame in the weight room.
2008-09 & 2009-10 FRESHMAN & SOPHOMORE - PENN STATE-BEHREND
A two-year player at the Penn State Behrend campus...a solid ball handler and physical defender...an Academic All-Conference selection...played in 16 games off the bench as a sophomore averaging 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds a game and draining 11 3-pointers as the Lions went 21-8...played in 22 games as a freshman averaging 6.7 ppg as Behrend posted an 18-10 record.
HIGH SCHOOL
The 2008 New Castle High graduate averaged 13.1 points a game as senior as he bucketed a team-best 26 treys for the Red Hurricane...was a three-year starter and team captain...recorded 905 career points...Also lettered in football and baseball...was an All-Parkway Conference pick in baseball after posting a .610 batting average...Nearly hit for the cylce in a game posting two homeruns, a triple and two doubles...was runner-up for Lawrence County Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL
The son of Dave and Linda Colella...born Nov. 10, 1989...full name is Nicholas Anthony Colella..has two older brothers, David Jr., and Michael...a kinesiology major.