Former Northwestern Forward Re-Signs with Milwaukee Bucks

Former Northwestern standout Pete Nance will remain with the Milwaukee Bucks after the organization officially re-signed the forward to a new contract, continuing his NBA journey after the best season of his professional career.

The move comes less than a week after Milwaukee waived Nance, only to bring him back on a more team-friendly deal.

According to reports from Jake Fischer, Nance's new contract is a two-year veteran minimum agreement that is non-guaranteed and includes a team option for the second season, giving the Bucks additional roster flexibility while retaining one of their promising depth pieces.

Nance earned the opportunity after a breakout 2025-26 campaign in Milwaukee.

The 6-foot-9 forward appeared in a career-high 47 games for the Bucks, averaging 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 15.7 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 51.5% from the field and 42.0% from three-point range. He reached double figures in scoring 12 times, including a career-best 23-point performance against the Houston Rockets on April 1.

Originally joining Milwaukee on a two-way contract, Nance impressed enough throughout the season to earn a standard NBA contract in March. His ability to stretch the floor, rebound and provide versatility in the frontcourt made him a valuable contributor for a Bucks team competing for playoff positioning.

Before training camp begins, Nance is also expected to represent the Bucks in the 2026 NBA Summer League. The event gives him another opportunity to continue building momentum following his breakout season while competing for an even larger role heading into the 2026-27 campaign. 

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Before reaching the NBA, Nance built his reputation at Northwestern.

Nance spent four seasons at Northwestern, developing into one of the Wildcats' top frontcourt players. Across 107 games, he averaged 9.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists while showcasing the versatility that has become his trademark.

As a senior in 2021-22, Nance put together his best collegiate season, averaging 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting an outstanding 45.2% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor, rebound and facilitate the offense made him one of the Big Ten's most versatile forwards and helped prepare him for the professional level. 

Nance's versatility has always been one of his greatest strengths. Comfortable playing both inside and on the perimeter, he has developed into a modern frontcourt player capable of defending multiple positions while stretching the floor offensively. That well-rounded skill set has continued to make him an intriguing option as he enters his fourth NBA season. 

Nance's re-signing is another positive development for Northwestern basketball, which continues to see former players establish themselves at the professional level. In recent weeks alone, Brooks Barnhizer, Nick Martinelli, Boo Buie and Chase Audige have all generated headlines as former Wildcats continue pursuing professional opportunities.

For Milwaukee, bringing Nance back provides valuable frontcourt depth while maintaining financial flexibility. While another roster move may eventually be required before the regular season begins, the Bucks' decision to restructure his contract rather than move on entirely demonstrates the organization's belief in his long-term potential.

Still only 25 years old, Nance has plenty of room to continue developing. After posting career-best numbers last season, he'll now have another opportunity to build on that momentum and compete for an even larger role within Milwaukee's rotation.

For Northwestern fans, the signing is another reminder of the program's growing presence at the professional level.

As Nance enters the next chapter of his NBA career, he'll look to build on a breakout season while continuing to represent Northwestern on one of basketball's biggest stages and competing for a larger role with the Bucks.