Northwestern Men’s Basketball Player Previews: The transfers

Northwestern entered the offseason in rebuilding mode, returning just three players from its 2025-26 season. With eight incoming transfers and little film on the team, head coach Chris Collins plans to attack the Big Ten with size, experience and a feeling of mystery.

Entering his 14th season, Collins has established an astounding foundation in Evanston, guiding Northwestern to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, developing NBA draft picks and recording 209 wins. However, a lackluster 2025-26 campaign marked a step backward for the program. The Wildcats plan to course correct.

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The departure of 6-foot-7 forward Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s scoring leader last season and now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, is difficult to remedy. The Wildcats will have to redefine their identity, shifting away from isolation-heavy ball toward a more balanced unit, dialed into the fundamentals, featuring multiple double-digit scorers.

Here’s a closer look at Northwestern’s incoming transfers for the 2026-27 season:

Jack Karasinski

As Northwestern’s first transfer commitment of the offseason, Collins identified Karasinski as the answer to Martinelli’s departure. Ranked the No. 23 small forward in the transfer portal per On3, Karasinski possesses the offensive versatility to play a similar role.

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The 6-foot-7 forward from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has proven to be an efficient three-level scorer, capable of big-time production.

Karasinski began his collegiate career at William & Mary before transferring to Bellarmine, where he spent two seasons. He redshirted in 2023-24.

Last season, Karasinski averaged 21.7 points per game, while shooting 56.1% from the field and 41.5% from beyond the arc. He led the Atlantic Sun Conference in scoring and set Bellarmine’s single-season scoring record with 650 points.

Despite playing at a mid-major, he met the moment against some big-name opponents, notably scoring 20-plus points against Georgia and…

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Publish date : 2026-10-24 15:50:00

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