Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Martinelli Named to Preseason All-Big Ten Team
10/7/2025 10:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Northwestern men's basketball senior forward Nick Martinelli was named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-Big Ten Team on Tuesday, the conference announced.
It marks the second consecutive year in which Northwestern has been represented on the Preseason All-Big Ten team after Brooks Barnhizer was a selection last fall. Barnhizer (honorable mention) and Martinelli (second team) both earned All-Big Ten honors last year.
Martinelli completed the 2024-25 season as the Big Ten's leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points per game, which was the most in a year by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer posted 21.7 points per game in 1997-98. He broke the school's single-season scoring record, which was previously held by John Shurna (661, 2011-12), by logging 676 points. In addition, the junior 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 Glenview, Ill. product scored 15+ points in 18 straight games to close the campaign, 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 Wildcat since at least 2000. He played a league-high 37.7 minutes per game this 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.
2025-26 Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Yaxel Lendeborg, Gr., F, Michigan
Nick Martinelli, Sr., F, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Sr., G, Ohio State
Nate Bittle, Sr., C, Oregon
Jackson Shelstad, Jr., G, Oregon
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Sr., F, Purdue
Braden Smith, Sr., G, Purdue (preseason player of the year, unanimous selection)
Donovan Dent, Sr., G, UCLA
John Blackwell, Jr., G, Wisconsin
It marks the second consecutive year in which Northwestern has been represented on the Preseason All-Big Ten team after Brooks Barnhizer was a selection last fall. Barnhizer (honorable mention) and Martinelli (second team) both earned All-Big Ten honors last year.
Martinelli completed the 2024-25 season as the Big Ten's leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points per game, which was the most in a year by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer posted 21.7 points per game in 1997-98. He broke the school's single-season scoring record, which was previously held by John Shurna (661, 2011-12), by logging 676 points. In addition, the junior 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 Glenview, Ill. product scored 15+ points in 18 straight games to close the campaign, 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 Wildcat since at least 2000. He played a league-high 37.7 minutes per game this 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.
2025-26 Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Yaxel Lendeborg, Gr., F, Michigan
Nick Martinelli, Sr., F, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Sr., G, Ohio State
Nate Bittle, Sr., C, Oregon
Jackson Shelstad, Jr., G, Oregon
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Sr., F, Purdue
Braden Smith, Sr., G, Purdue (preseason player of the year, unanimous selection)
Donovan Dent, Sr., G, UCLA
John Blackwell, Jr., G, Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
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