Introduction to Nick Martinelli’s Return
Background
EVANSTON, Ill. – After dipping his toe in the NBA Draft pool, Nick Martinelli announced last week he will be returning to Northwestern for his senior season.
The NBA Draft Experience
"The process was awesome. Everywhere I went for the workouts, it was just such a blessing. It was a dream, honestly – NBA facilities, seeing players walk through the gym when we were there. It was pretty surreal."
Feedback and Improvement
Martinelli anticipated the feedback he wound up getting and what he will work on over the next year.
"It was pretty obvious. The main thing, when you go to the NBA, you’re going to have to fill a role. You’re going to have to shoot three-pointers at a high clip. They definitely just think cleaning up my mechanics – shooting more, shooting better. Things like getting better on defense. In the NBA you’re going to guard some good players."
Return to Northwestern
But the fallback option to a place he’s called home since attending Chris Collins’ camps as a 4th grader, isn’t such a bad alternative.
"We absolutely have unfinished business. I was super excited. I was super-involved in the process of recruiting transfers. I think the guys that we got are going to be really helpful for us and the freshmen coming in. It’s super exciting. It’s kind of a brand new team."
Leadership Role
Nick steps into the kind of leadership role he observed from Boo Buie and Brook Barnhizer with something to prove. He admittedly returns to Evanston with a chip on his shoulder, having not been voted first team All-Big Ten despite being the conference’s leading scorer, averaging 20 pints and six rebounds a game.
"This is a school that a lot of times people just look at as an academic university that doesn’t focus on sports and isn’t worried about sports and is pretty. We don’t want to be pretty. We want to be gritty and we want to fight.
"We, obviously, don’t get five-star recruits coming in every year, but we’re going to get guys that have five-star heart, five-star mentality. I think that’s necessary to get us to the places we want to go."
Conclusion
Nick Martinelli’s return to Northwestern for his senior season marks a significant moment for the team, bringing back a talented player with a renewed sense of purpose and leadership. With unfinished business to attend to, Martinelli is poised to lead the Wildcats in a new era, driven by his determination to prove himself and elevate the team’s standing.
FAQs
Q: Why did Nick Martinelli return to Northwestern?
A: Nick Martinelli returned to Northwestern for his senior season after exploring the NBA Draft, citing unfinished business and a desire to lead the team in a new era.
Q: What did Martinelli learn from his NBA Draft experience?
A: Martinelli learned the importance of improving his shooting mechanics and defense to fill a role in the NBA, which he will work on during his senior season.
Q: What role will Martinelli play in the upcoming season?
A: Martinelli will step into a leadership role, inspired by his predecessors Boo Buie and Brook Barnhizer, and will aim to prove himself after not being voted first team All-Big Ten despite leading the conference in scoring.
