Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Martinelli Selected to Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List
10/30/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Northwestern senior Nick Martinelli was named to the 2025-26 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday. Bestowed annually, the Karl Malone Award honors the best power forward in men's college basketball.
Martinelli returns for his final year in Evanston after becoming the fourth Wildcat to lead the Big Ten in scoring. The Glenview, Ill. product averaged 20.5 points per game last season, the highest scoring average by a Northwestern player since Evan Eschmeyer posted 21.7 points per game in 1997-98. Martinelli broke the school's single-season scoring record, which was previously held by John Shurna (661, 2011-12), by logging 676 points. Martinelli's 676 points were the most by a Big Ten forward since Keenan Murray (Iowa) scored 822 points in the 2021-22 season. Martinelli also set the program's single-season field goals made record with 251, breaking a record previously held by Shurna (228, 2011-12).
Martinelli is the fifth-leading returning scorer in all of college basketball this season, and is second among all scorers who are returning to the school they played at in 2024-25, joining Markus Burton (Notre Dame, 21.3 ppg). Martinelli's prolific scoring season was marked by incredible consistency, as he scored 15+ points in 18 straight games to close the campaign, which is the longest active streak by a high-major player in the country. He scored 10+ points in 26 straight games, the longest streak by a Northwestern player since at least 2000.
In addition, Martinelli averaged 6.2 rebounds per game, becoming the first Northwestern player to register at least 20 points and 5 rebounds per game since Shurna in 2011-12. The junior played a league-high 37.7 minutes per game last season and was the first high-major player to post at least 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 37.5+ minutes per game since Kemba Walker at UConn in 2010-11.
Martinelli is joined on the list by four Big Ten players: Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue), and Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA). The Big Ten's five players on the list are tied for the most from a conference with the ACC and Big 12. The full list of players can be found below.
In late January, the watchlist will narrow to 10 players, and in March, the list will condense to its final five. The award winner will be announced at the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Led by Martinelli, Northwestern kicks off its 2025-26 season with a matchup against Mercyhurst at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 3 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Martinelli returns for his final year in Evanston after becoming the fourth Wildcat to lead the Big Ten in scoring. The Glenview, Ill. product averaged 20.5 points per game last season, the highest scoring average by a Northwestern player since Evan Eschmeyer posted 21.7 points per game in 1997-98. Martinelli broke the school's single-season scoring record, which was previously held by John Shurna (661, 2011-12), by logging 676 points. Martinelli's 676 points were the most by a Big Ten forward since Keenan Murray (Iowa) scored 822 points in the 2021-22 season. Martinelli also set the program's single-season field goals made record with 251, breaking a record previously held by Shurna (228, 2011-12).
Nick Martinelli: One of the country's finest ?? pic.twitter.com/Y2wOt4AWgC
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) October 30, 2025
Martinelli is the fifth-leading returning scorer in all of college basketball this season, and is second among all scorers who are returning to the school they played at in 2024-25, joining Markus Burton (Notre Dame, 21.3 ppg). Martinelli's prolific scoring season was marked by incredible consistency, as he scored 15+ points in 18 straight games to close the campaign, which is the longest active streak by a high-major player in the country. He scored 10+ points in 26 straight games, the longest streak by a Northwestern player since at least 2000.
In addition, Martinelli averaged 6.2 rebounds per game, becoming the first Northwestern player to register at least 20 points and 5 rebounds per game since Shurna in 2011-12. The junior played a league-high 37.7 minutes per game last season and was the first high-major player to post at least 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 37.5+ minutes per game since Kemba Walker at UConn in 2010-11.
Martinelli is joined on the list by four Big Ten players: Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue), and Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA). The Big Ten's five players on the list are tied for the most from a conference with the ACC and Big 12. The full list of players can be found below.
| Koa Peat | Arizona | Yaxel Lendeborg | Michigan |
| Keyshawn Hall | Auburn | Thomas Haugh | Florida |
| Michael Rataj | Baylor | Caleb Wilson | North Carolina |
| Alex Karaban | UConn | Trey Kaufman-Renn | Purdue |
| Cameron Boozer | Duke | Baye Ndongo | Georgia Tech |
| Alvaro Folgueiras | Iowa | Bryce Hopkins | St. John's |
| Graham Ike | Gonzaga | Donnie Freeman | Syracuse |
| Joseph Tugler | Houston | JT Toppin | Texas Tech |
| Joshua Jefferson | Iowa State | Tyler Bilodeau | UCLA |
| Malik Reneau | Miami | Nick Martinelli | Northwestern |
In late January, the watchlist will narrow to 10 players, and in March, the list will condense to its final five. The award winner will be announced at the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Led by Martinelli, Northwestern kicks off its 2025-26 season with a matchup against Mercyhurst at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 3 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Players Mentioned
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