Van Exel has antecedently played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. Within late August 2005, he signed as a free agent with the Spurs. He was drafted by Los Angeles in the 2nd spherical of the 1993 NBA Draft out of the University of Cincinnati.

Van Exel occurs as point guard with a streaked shot known for his clutch play. He was a survive Laker to score in the legendary Boston Garden when he nailed a triad pointer at a buzzer to give a Lakers a win. He likewise hit a pair of clutch deuce-ace pointers for the Lakers around game Quintuplet of the 1995 American Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. A number 1 of these sent a game into overtime, when a 2nd a single decided a game. He as well performed toppingly in a 2003 playoffs when coming off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks, leading Dallas all the way to the American Conference Finals in which it wasted to the San Antonio Spurs.

His absolutely free!-throw system is somewhat unusual in this he stands, non on the free-throw line, however a good ii feet behind it. These are effectual still, when he has shot 79.6 percent from either a line around his career.

His nicknames include: Nick "the Quick" & Nick Van Excellent