The Los Angeles Clippers' NBA Summer League team is 2-2 so far on the circuit with fans and media taking note of the play of rookie forward Nick Martinelli.

Martinelli, the former Northwestern Wildcats star and back-to-back Big Ten scoring champion, has looked like a potential rotation player for the 2026-27 season.

Martinelli has also served as a guiding light for his fellow rookie teammates including one player with whom he has a special bond and another he has helped to mentor. 

Martinelli revealed that he has gotten along well with fellow rookies Keaton Wagler, Baba Miller and Fletcher Loyer. 

The ex-Wildcats star, Miller and Loyer bring the most college experience, each 22 years old, while Wagler is the 19-year-old first round prodigy. 

Martinelli said he and Miller, a 6-foot-11 fellow second round pick out of Cincinnati, have gotten along well. 

"Yeah, it's been great with all three of those guys, but obviously me and Baba being the same age, in getting drafted and just being there a week early, to get into bond, yeah, it's been great," Martinelli said. 

"Obviously, we're always competing against each other, especially in the draft process playing similar positions, but, he's a good dude," he added.

Martinelli was asked if there is an "big brother, little brother dynamic" between him and his fellow rookies.

He did not mention a player by name but it is believed that he referenced Wagler, whose Illinois Fighting Illini beat Northwestern by a combined 51 points in two games last season.

"Surely, surely there is," Martinelli said in response to the question.

"That's the young fella right there. 

"We're glad to have a young guy to take care of in a sense, and he's done such a great job," he added.

"I'm happy to be his teammate, he gave us a whooping a couple times when I was in college," the ex-Northwestern star said, seemingly in reference to Wagler. 

Martinelli joined Wagler and Miller after being selected 55th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and traded from New York to the Clippers.

He continues to work hard for a chance to prove he belongs with Wagler and other upper echelon talents in year one later this fall.