Bellarmine forward Jack Karasinski transfers to Northwestern, the first addition from the portal.
With days of waiting since the transfer portal opened for a week, Northwestern adds its first acquisition from it.
Jack Karasinski, a senior forward from Bellarmine, announced his transfer to Northwestern on Tuesday via Instagram and was later reported by League Ready’s Sam Kayser. The 6-foot-7 spent two past seasons at the Knights, averaging 21.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30 games, leading the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) in scoring.
Karasinski’s journey reflects persistence and growth. After graduating at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School as a Mr. Basketball finalist in Michigan, the Grand Rapids, Mich., native began his career at William & Mary, where he started 13 games in two seasons while being limited by injury. In the 2023-24 season, he appeared in nine games and started the first eight, but then missed the final 24 games of the year due to ankle injury, averaging 7.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists during that span.
After that season, he entered the portal and eventually landed at Bellarmine. As a junior, he bounced back from the injury and averaged 15.4 points before a further-blossoming senior year, becoming one of the top players in the conference and among all mid-majors. On Feb. 28, he exploded with a career-high 38 points in Bellarmine’s home win over Austin Peay, becoming the school’s Division-I score leader (Bellarmine elevated to D-I in 2020).
Nov 19, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Bellarmine Knights forward Jack Karasinski (32) drives against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Jalen Haralson (10) during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn ImagesInside his scoring pedigree, Karasinski’s shooting stands out as one of the most important aspects of his game. In his breakout 2025-26 senior season with the Knights, Karasinski connected on 41.5% of his three-point attempts (71-of-171) while attempting a healthy volume. Combined with his elite 56.1% field-goal percentage and an over-80% from the free-throw line, he proved to be a highly efficient scorer capable of stretching the floor, attacking closeouts and finishing inside.
His ability to shoot off the catch and create chances gives him multiple ways to contribute to a poor-shooting Northwestern team that made 33% three-pointers from last season (12th in the Big Ten).
As a graduate transfer, the NCAA will grant him one year of eligibility at Northwestern. Now entering his final year, Karasinski will suit up in purple for Northwestern this November. The Wildcats gain a proven scorer and experienced veteran who can contribute immediately in Chris Collins’ system. With his Big Ten-level size and athleticism, the fifth-year senior has the tools to translate that mid-major success as a Wildcat against tougher competition.