Nick Martinelli, the Northwestern standout who concluded his college career as the program’s single‑season scoring leader, was chosen by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the NBA Draft.
During his senior season he averaged 23.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, setting a new program record with 759 points and earning Second Team All‑Big Ten honors for the second consecutive year.
College Career Highlights
Coach Chris Collins praised Martinelli’s dedication, noting that the forward’s leadership was defined by a willingness to put team success ahead of personal accolades.
The pick originally belonged to the New York Knicks, but a pre‑draft trade routed the selection through the Houston Rockets before it landed with the Clippers, a move first reported by ESPN.
Martinelli’s work ethic and coachability had already drawn attention from other franchises, with workout invitations from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, underscoring his projected placement in the back half of the second round.
The Clippers, who finished ninth in the Western Conference with a 42‑40 record last season, hope the addition of Martinelli will bolster their perimeter scoring and provide depth as they aim for a playoff return.