Could the Wildcats' star reach the NBA after college?
Nick Martinelli is three games away from etching his name in the Big Ten record books.
Northwestern's senior forward currently leads the conference with 22.6 points per game, the seventh-best average in the nation. Martinelli's 20.5 points per game last season also ranked first among Big Ten players, and if he continues his current pace, No. 2 will join a prestigious list of players to lead the conference in scoring in back-to-back years.
Five other athletes in Big Ten history have achieved the feat: Michigan State's Steve Smith (1990-91), Purdue's Glenn Robinson (1993-94), Ohio State's Evan Turner (2009-10), Iowa's Luka Garza (2020-21) and Purdue's Zach Edey (2023-24). All five reached the NBA, all but Garza were first-round draft picks and all but Smith won the Naismith Player of the Year Award.
On Friday morning, Martinelli spoke to Big Ten Network about the potential to join the ranks of past conference legends and what the honor would mean to him.
"That's my first time seeing that list, but gosh dang, that's a good list of guys," Martinelli said. "That's a testament to my coaches and my teammates over the years really trusting me. I talked about it at the end of the game. For me to have the struggles that I've had throughout this season for that couple-game stretch and them continuing to come to me and trust me, it's just a testament to them and the four years that we've put in together. Wow, that's a big-time list."
Not only has Martinelli boosted his scoring average by more than two points per game, but he's also increased his efficiency. In 2.7 minutes per game fewer than his 2024-25 season, in which he earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors, Martinelli's shooting percentage has risen from 47.1% to 50.5% this winter. Beyond the arc, the Glenview, Illinois, native has improved his accuracy from 33.3% to 43.2% this season.
Northwestern's Nick Martinelli (2) celebrates during the Indiana versus Northwestern men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.Northwestern hasn't had the team success to pair with Martinelli's stellar season, but the senior forward has still proven he has a future in basketball. After testing the NBA Draft waters last summer, Martinelli has a much better chance of joining former teammate Brooks Barnhizer in the pros.
But to Martinelli, the only thing that matters is the next game.
"It's going to be the same thing as always, I'm just going to put my head down and go to work, and whatever happens happens," Martinelli said. "I'm a true believer that God has a plan for me, so I'm trusting in his plan completely and I'm gonna work my butt off, and whatever happens happens. Whether that be the NBA, whether it be overseas, whether I'm a carpenter, I'm good with it. I'm rolling with the punches and I'm going to work my butt off at whatever I do."
The Wildcats will face Oregon on Saturday afternoon in a Senior Day bout, looking to win their third consecutive game.