Junior forward Nick Martinelli will declare for the NBA Draft while maintaining his final year of college eligibility at Northwestern, he announced in a post on X Wednesday.
“To my coaches, teammates, and the entire Northwestern community — thank you for believing in me, pushing me to grow, and helping shape me into the player and person I am today,” Martinelli wrote.
Martinelli’s potential leap to professional basketball threatens to puncture a major hole in coach Chris Collins’ roster. Four starters, including multiple program cornerstones, graduated at the end of the 2024-25 season — senior guard Brooks Barnhizer, graduate student guard Ty Berry, graduate student center Matthew Nicholson and graduate student guard Jalen Leach.
In each of the past two seasons, former guard Boo Buie and Barnhizer tested the NBA Draft waters before ultimately opting to return for a final season in Evanston.
Martinelli led all scorers in the Big Ten this season with 20.5 points per game and averaged more minutes than any player in the conference with 37.6.
The Glenview, Illinois, native broke NU’s single-season scoring record in a Big Ten Tournament loss to Wisconsin last month, scoring 676 points throughout this past season. He surpassed Wildcat great John Shurna’s 661-point mark set in the 2011-12 season.
During his All-Big Ten Second Team campaign, Martinelli also produced several signature moments that propelled the ’Cats to victory, including last-gasp game-winners against Maryland Jan. 16 and USC Feb. 4.
Since joining the program in 2022, Martinelli has steadily risen to star status. After coming off the bench for limited minutes his freshman year, he entered the starting lineup midway through his sophomore season after Berry suffered a season-ending injury.
He formed a formidable tandem with Barnhizer in the first half of this season before Barnhizer was ruled out for the remainder of the season, forcing Martinelli to carry the lion’s share of offensive production down the stretch.
Martinelli described his decision to enter the draft while maintaining a year of eligibility as one that would help him “make the best decision for (his) future and (his) family.”
Email: elikronenberg2027@u.northwestern.edu
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— Men’s Basketball: Northwestern’s season ends with 70-63 loss to No. 18 Wisconsin
— Men’s Basketball: Martinelli shatters Northwestern’s single-season scoring record
