Former Northwestern Wildcats Starring in NBA for Thunder, Bucks, Warriors

It's been a tough season for Chris Collins' Wildcats, but several alumni from his program are flourishing at the next level.

Three former Northwestern stars are making an impact in the NBA, and all are proving they belong on their respective teams.

Oklahoma City wing Brooks Barnhizer became the first ex-Wildcat to be drafted to the NBA since 1999 last summer, when the Thunder selected him with the No. 44 overall pick. The former Northwestern captain has split his rookie season between the Thunder and their G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.

Although Barnhizer hasn't gotten much playing time for the reigning champion Thunder, the versatile guard has put up big numbers in the G League. Across 14 appearances with the Blue, Barnhizer is averaging 19.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 55.5% overall and 45.7% from three.

On Wednesday night, Barnhizer got the opportunity to show his game can translate to the NBA as well. The rookie second-rounder played 20 minutes off the bench and drilled four three-pointers en route to a career-high 14 points. Barnhizer also finished with five assists and three rebounds, and the Thunder fell to the Spurs by 10 despite playing without All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.

Barnhizer wasn't the only former Wildcat to post a career performance in relief of a superstar player. Pete Nance has emerged for the Milwaukee Bucks lately, following a calf injury to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Over his last four games, Nance has shot a blistering 63.6% from the floor and made nine of his 18 triples while helping the Bucks to a 2-2 record.

Nance rarely saw the floor over the first half of the 2025-26 season, but the 6-foot-9 power forward has raised his playing time from 6.9 minutes per game to 21 during this recent stretch. On Wednesday night, Nance compiled 16 points, three rebounds and three assists in less than 19 minutes as Milwaukee beat the Pelicans in overtime, 141-137.

The victory marked Nance's second-highest scoring total of his career, narrowly falling short of the 19 points he posted in the 2024-25 season finale. However, the former Northwestern and North Carolina star played 43 minutes in that game, compared to his efficient performance this week.

Nance spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Bucks on a two-way contract last February.

The Golden State Warriors are also in a critical battle for postseason positioning, and Pat Spencer has come up huge in moments of need. Spencer is averaging career-highs across the board during his third season in the Bay Area, posting 5.8 points, 2.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game in his biggest opportunity yet. He's also shooting 43.1% on three-pointers.

Spencer earned the start on Thursday against Phoenix, leading the Warriors' reserves against a Suns team that sits directly below Golden State in the standings. The former lacrosse star knocked down a career-high six three-pointers to help bring his team to a 101-97 win. Spencer finished with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in the victory.

After a long stretch of time without any former 'Cats in the NBA, there are now three Northwestern alumni making their mark at the highest level of professional basketball. They likely won't be the last to make the leap, as Nick Martinelli will certainly earn attention from pro scouts upon the conclusion of his senior season.