Prospects Aim to Impress During NBA Draft Combine
Nick Martinelli’s Journey
Nick Martinelli has played a significant role over four seasons at Northwestern, participating in 120 games with 77 starts. With his unorthodox midrange game, he’s shown NBA teams his potential. At the NBA draft combine at Wintrust Arena, he sought to showcase more of his abilities. Martinelli scored 18 points with three rebounds and two assists in one game and followed up with 13 points, five rebounds, and a block in another. He aimed to enhance his draft prospects by performing against future NBA players.
Martinelli, a 6-foot-7 forward from Glenview, was a two-time Big Ten scoring leader. He averaged 20.5 points as a junior and 23 as a senior. His focus remains on improving various aspects of his game, including shooting and athleticism.
“It’s definitely a step up in the level of play. Them getting to see me play against players that are fighting for NBA jobs is hopefully going to do good things for me.”
Despite Northwestern’s struggles, finishing 15-19 in 2026 and missing the NCAA tournament, Martinelli stays motivated. He’s driven to contribute to winning—an experience he missed in his last two seasons. He continues his workouts at Northwestern, receiving guidance from Coach Chris Collins to balance training with rest.
Mock drafts project Martinelli as a second-round pick, with potential teams being the Golden State Warriors or the Atlanta Hawks. He emphasizes his faith and family support during this pivotal career stage.
Kylan Boswell Embraces His Role
Illinois guard Kylan Boswell understands his value lies in effort and defense, not just scoring. At the combine, he showcased his defensive skills, essential for any NBA team. Boswell averaged 12.3 points, four rebounds, and three assists in his senior season. His role wasn’t to score, but to ensure robust defense and facilitate play.
“A team isn’t picking me up because they need me to score. My job is to guard, have the right mentality, facilitate, and maintain a steady presence.”
With an average projection at No. 58, Boswell’s rapid transition from college basketball to the pro level required adapting physically and mentally. His focus is on conditioning and maintaining self-confidence.
Decisions for Draft Prospects
A few Big Ten prospects, such as Andrej Stojaković, face decisions on whether to enter the NBA draft or return to college. Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. aims to gather feedback to see if he’s ready for the next level. Averaging 15.2 points and leading with 9.4 assists in the Big Ten, Fears is confident in his first-round potential.
“There’s only a limited number of superstars. If my role is different, I want to excel in that role.”
Taking cues from his brother Jeremiah, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, Jeremy is ready to adapt to his future role.
Another prospect, John Blackwell, is evaluating his draft position while considering potential improvement at Duke. He chose Duke for its transparent coaching and robust team dynamics. Meanwhile, Morez Johnson Jr. of Michigan, already a key player, has committed to the NBA draft with the support of his coach.