Northwestern University Athletics
Nick Martinelli Earns Associated Press First Team All-Big Ten Honors
3/10/2026 12:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern senior forward Nick Martinelli earned an Associated Press First Team All-Big Ten selection, the AP announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Martinelli is the first Wildcat to receive the honor since Boo Buie was a unanimous first team selection in 2024. He has won the conference regular season scoring title in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first player to do so since Zach Edey in 2023-24.
He averages 22.7 points per game on 50.1% shooting, 41% 3-point-percentage and an 80.9% free throw percentage. The senior leads NU in rebounding, pulling down 6.2 boards per game. Martinelli is the only player in the Big Ten to average at least 20 points per game and six rebounds per game on a 50%+ field goal percentage and a 40%+ 3-point percentage.
His scoring average is the highest by a Wildcat since Dale Kelley posted a school-record 24.3 points per game in 1969-70. Martinelli has scored in double figures in 56 of his last 58 games, and had a streak of 30 games, the longest by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer (1997-99, 65)
In the Wildcats' season finale at Minnesota on March 7, Martinelli broke his own single-season program record for points in the Wildcats' regular season finale at Minnesota on March 7, extending his season tally to 682. He is the only player in Big Ten history to score at least 20 points against all 18 member schools.
The Glenview, Ill., product has scored in double figures 72 times in his career and scored at least 20 points on 43 occasions — a figure that ranks second at Northwestern since 2004 behind only John Shurna.
Martinelli and the Wildcats will face No. 18 seed Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament's first round at approximately 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 10 at the United Center. The game will be televised on Peacock and NBCSN and can be heard on WGN Radio 720 with Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).
Martinelli is the first Wildcat to receive the honor since Boo Buie was a unanimous first team selection in 2024. He has won the conference regular season scoring title in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first player to do so since Zach Edey in 2023-24.
Associated Press, you know ball.
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) March 10, 2026
Nick Martinelli has been named to the AP All-Big Ten First Team ?? pic.twitter.com/w8k1gZSAG6
He averages 22.7 points per game on 50.1% shooting, 41% 3-point-percentage and an 80.9% free throw percentage. The senior leads NU in rebounding, pulling down 6.2 boards per game. Martinelli is the only player in the Big Ten to average at least 20 points per game and six rebounds per game on a 50%+ field goal percentage and a 40%+ 3-point percentage.
His scoring average is the highest by a Wildcat since Dale Kelley posted a school-record 24.3 points per game in 1969-70. Martinelli has scored in double figures in 56 of his last 58 games, and had a streak of 30 games, the longest by a Wildcat since Evan Eschmeyer (1997-99, 65)
In the Wildcats' season finale at Minnesota on March 7, Martinelli broke his own single-season program record for points in the Wildcats' regular season finale at Minnesota on March 7, extending his season tally to 682. He is the only player in Big Ten history to score at least 20 points against all 18 member schools.
The Glenview, Ill., product has scored in double figures 72 times in his career and scored at least 20 points on 43 occasions — a figure that ranks second at Northwestern since 2004 behind only John Shurna.
Martinelli and the Wildcats will face No. 18 seed Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament's first round at approximately 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 10 at the United Center. The game will be televised on Peacock and NBCSN and can be heard on WGN Radio 720 with Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst).
Players Mentioned
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