Northwestern Basketball 2025–2026 Season Preview: Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation

The Northwestern Wildcats will be looking to bounce back this 2025-26 NCAA season. They failed to meet expectations in the previous campaign, missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years after finishing the 2024-25 season with a 17-16 overall record.

There's reason for optimism for Northwestern fans, though, as star player Nick Martinelli will be returning to the Wildcats for his senior year. Let's get into their outlook for the upcoming season.

Northwestern Season Review

Several players have departed the Northwestern Wildcats after the 2024-25 season. Brooks Barnhizer, Ty Berry, Keenan Fitzmorris and Matthew Nicholson used up their eligibility in the previous campaign. Barnhizer averaged 17.1 points and 8.8 boards during his senior year before a foot injury cut short his last season with the Wildcats.

Luke Hunger and Blake Barkley also exited through the transfer portal, joining George Washington and East Tennessee State, respectively. Chris Collins managed to acquire players in the portal as well, securing the commitments of Arrinten Page, Max Green and Jayden Reid.

Starters

Guard: Jake West

The Northwestern Wildcats secured a massive commitment last year, adding top high school prospect Jake West to their lineup for the 2025-26 NCAA season. He received plenty of awards during his final season with Penn Charter, leading the Quakers to the 2025 Outright Inter-AC Championship and winning the 2024-25 Inter-AC League Most Valuable Player award.

West was also named Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball after he posted impressive numbers with Penn Charter. He is expected to start for Northwestern in his first year under Chris Collins.

Guard: Jayden Reid

Jayden Reid dazzled in his sophomore season with South Florida, posting career-best numbers in scoring, rebounding and assists. He averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 dimes and 2.6 boards through 31 games in the 2024-25 NCAA season.

Reid also displayed his defensive prowess, averaging 1.8 steals per game to lead all South Florida players. His stellar two-way play attracted the attention of Chris Collins, who convinced him to transfer to the Wildcats.

Forward: Nick Martinelli

Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (#2) dribbles the ball while Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (#11) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Photo: Imagn

Northwestern fans heaved a huge sigh of relief when Nick Martinelli announced that he would withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA draft and return to the Wildcats for another season. He led the team in scoring and rebounding during his junior year, averaging 20.5 points and 6.2 boards through 33 games in the 2024-25 season.

Martinelli will take on the leadership role for the Wildcats following the departures of Brooks Barnhizer, Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson.

Forward: Tre Singleton

Chris Collins struck gold with another talented high school prospect, adding forward Tre Singleton to his lineup. The four-star recruit ended his high school basketball career with a bang, leading the Jeffersonville Red Devils to the Indiana State Championship in March.

Singleton starred in Jeffersonville's 67-66 overtime victory over Fishers High School, amassing 26 points, five boards, four dimes and two steals in the final. He helped Jeffersonville win its first boys basketball state title since 1993.

Center: Cade Bennerman

The Northwestern Wildcats bolstered their frontcourt by securing the commitment of Cade Bennerman. He flourished in his final season with Father Ryan, winning the Most Valuable Player award in the Middle Region Tournament for Division II-AA in Tennessee.

Bennerman is 6-foot-11 and has a wingspan that measures 7'5". Chris Collins will look for Bennerman to patrol the paint for the Wildcats with center Matthew Nicholson now gone.

Rotation Players

K.J. Windham, Jordan Clayton, Justin Mullins and Angelo Ciaravino will return to the Wildcats next season, providing much-needed depth to Collins' lineup. Transferees Max Green and Arrinten Page are also expected to contribute off the bench.

Impact Players

Chris Collins will rely on Nick Martinelli to lead the Wildcats this coming season. He showed what he is capable of in his junior year, recording career-best numbers in scoring, rebounding and assists. Collins will also lean on his talented freshman class, particularly Jake West and Tre Singleton, in the 2025-26 NCAA campaign.