EVANSTON, Ill. - Forward Nick Martinelli announced his return to the Northwestern men's basketball team for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday evening via his Instagram account. After exploring the NBA Draft process, the Big Ten's leading scorer rejoins the Wildcats for his senior season.
Martinelli averaged 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last season as he led Northwestern to its third straight winning season.
The Glenview, Ill., native set the school's scoring record last season, previously held by John Shurna and became the first Wildcat since Shurna to average at least 20 points and five rebounds per game.
Martinelli was named to the All-Big Ten Second-Team after scoring 15+ points in the final 18 consecutive games of the season, the longest active streak by a high-major player in the nation. He also scored 10+ points in 26 straight games, the longest streak by a Wildcat since at least 2000.
He pumped in a career-high 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting, including 3-for-3 from deep, in Northwestern's match up with Dayton in November while snaring 14 rebounds. The forward logged five double-doubles last season, including a 27-point, 13-rebound outing in a win against Southern California in February.
Martinelli was instrumental in Northwestern's victory over then-No. 17 Illinois, scoring 27 points on 11-for-20 shooting. He sank a buzzer-beating floater as the 'Cats beat Maryland and concluded the year by scoring 20+ points in five of his final six games.
Martinelli earned a nod on the Academic All-America First Team as well as securing NABC All-District honors during his junior season.
Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2025-26 season HERE.