Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics
Nick Martinelli Named NCAA March Madness National Player of the Week
3/2/2026 9:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern men's basketball senior forward Nick Martinelli earned NCAA March Madness Player of the Week honors on Monday after leading Northwestern to a pair of wins over Indiana and Oregon.
NCAA analyst Andy Katz recognized Martinelli with the player of the week honor. This marks Martinelli's first weekly honors since being named Big Ten Player of the Week on March 3, 2025. This season, Martinelli is leading the Big Ten in scoring for the second straight season and ranks sixth nationally, averaging 22.5 points per game.
Martinelli averaged 25 points on 51.3% shooting, eight rebounds, five assists and 1.5 steals per game in the Wildcats' two victories this past week. He found another gear in the clutch, accumulating 35 points on 16-of-22 field goals, eight rebounds and four assists in NU's two second half comebacks.
At Indiana, Martinelli poured in a game-high 28 points and grabbed five rebounds. He scored 21 points in the second half alone, canning 9-of-12 shots in the frame to guide Northwestern to a 72-68 win on Feb. 24.
The Glenview, Ill., native hit the game-winning hook shot with 1.8 seconds remaining against Oregon on Saturday to secure a 63-62 win for the 'Cats. His efforts helped NU erase a 12-point second half deficit and extend its winning streak to three games.
The senior will play his final regular season home game on Wednesday, March 4, when the Wildcats take on No. 8 Purdue in Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
NCAA analyst Andy Katz recognized Martinelli with the player of the week honor. This marks Martinelli's first weekly honors since being named Big Ten Player of the Week on March 3, 2025. This season, Martinelli is leading the Big Ten in scoring for the second straight season and ranks sixth nationally, averaging 22.5 points per game.
?? Weekly Awards from @TheAndyKatz ??
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 2, 2026
Team of the Week: Texas Tech
Player of the Week: Nick Martinelli
Freshman of the Week: Brayden Burries pic.twitter.com/SmJr9fWKBX
Martinelli averaged 25 points on 51.3% shooting, eight rebounds, five assists and 1.5 steals per game in the Wildcats' two victories this past week. He found another gear in the clutch, accumulating 35 points on 16-of-22 field goals, eight rebounds and four assists in NU's two second half comebacks.
At Indiana, Martinelli poured in a game-high 28 points and grabbed five rebounds. He scored 21 points in the second half alone, canning 9-of-12 shots in the frame to guide Northwestern to a 72-68 win on Feb. 24.
The Glenview, Ill., native hit the game-winning hook shot with 1.8 seconds remaining against Oregon on Saturday to secure a 63-62 win for the 'Cats. His efforts helped NU erase a 12-point second half deficit and extend its winning streak to three games.
The senior will play his final regular season home game on Wednesday, March 4, when the Wildcats take on No. 8 Purdue in Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
Players Mentioned
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