Former Northwestern star Nick Martinelli scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in his NBA Summer League debut, giving Clippers fans an early glimpse of his potential despite Los Angeles' loss to Sacramento.
Former Northwestern standout Nick Martinelli wasted little time making an impression in his NBA Summer League debut, emerging as one of the Los Angeles Clippers' bright spots despite a 91-85 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Coming off the bench in his first professional debut, Martinelli finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes while adding three turnovers and shooting 2-of-7 from the field.
Although his shooting numbers don't tell the full story, the former Wildcats star showed the same aggressiveness and confidence that made him one of the Big Ten's top scorers during his final collegiate season.
Martinelli made an immediate impact after checking into the game.
In just his first four minutes on the floor, he scored six points and grabbed two rebounds, providing an early offensive spark for the Clippers. His willingness to attack the basket, draw contact and compete on the glass stood out throughout the afternoon, even as Los Angeles struggled to keep pace with Sacramento.
The debut also produced one of NBA Summer League's most talked-about moments so far.
During one of Martinelli's free-throw attempts, ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke reacted with surprise after seeing him jump immediately following his release.
While the celebration caught many viewers off guard, Northwestern fans quickly recognized it as one of Martinelli's long-standing routines at the free-throw line. The moment quickly gained traction online, introducing one of Martinelli's signature habits to a national audience.
Although the Clippers fell short on the scoreboard, Martinelli's performance offered encouraging signs as he begins his professional career.
Summer League serves as an important opportunity for rookies to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA while competing for roster minutes, and Martinelli showed flashes of the offensive versatility that made him such an accomplished player at Northwestern.
The forward capped his Wildcats career with one of the best individual seasons in program history, averaging 23.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game during the 2025-26 season.
His combination of scoring, rebounding and improved perimeter shooting helped establish him as one of the Big Ten's premier offensive players before being selected by the Clippers in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) reaches for the ball against Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn ImagesNow, he's looking to prove those skills can translate consistently against NBA-level competition.
While there will naturally be an adjustment period, Martinelli's strong start provided another reminder of why the Clippers selected him. His ability to score in multiple ways, compete on the boards and bring consistent energy gives him a solid foundation as he continues developing within the organization.
For Northwestern fans, Martinelli's debut was another example of the program's growing presence in professional basketball. Alongside former Wildcats such as Brooks Barnhizer, Pete Nance and Boo Buie, Martinelli continues adding to Northwestern's expanding NBA footprint.
With several Summer League games remaining, he'll have additional opportunities to build on an encouraging debut, continue earning the Clippers' trust and strengthen his case for a larger role within the organization.
