A 6'7" power forward who attended the University of Washington and the University of Southern California, Nichols played nine seasons (1948–1951;1952–1958) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Washington Capitols, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Milwaukee Hawks, and Boston Celtics.

During his last 3 years with the Celtics, he attended Tufts Dental School full-time, earning his doctor of dentistry in 1958.

He was named a Helms Foundation All-American, and led the Huskies to the 1948 NCAA tournament by Beating Cal in a 3-game series.

Upon his retirement from professional basketball, Nichols served as the team dentist for the University of Washington and for the Seattle SuperSonics.

This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1920s is a stub.