Northwestern Basketball Roster: Reviewing the 2025-26 Wildcats Rotation

The landscape of the Big Ten Conference shifted significantly during the 2025-26 season, and for the Northwestern Wildcats, the roster composition reflected a strategic pivot toward blending high-floor veteran leadership with a highly-touted freshman class. Following the departures of program cornerstones like Brooks Barnhizer and Ty Berry in the previous year, head coach Chris Collins faced the task of integrating several new faces into a system that has become known for its defensive discipline and opportunistic scoring. As the 2026 spring period begins, a look back at the 2025-26 Northwestern basketball roster reveals how this group navigated a demanding schedule and established a new identity at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Guard Corps: Playmaking and Speed

The backcourt was the engine of the 2025-26 Wildcats. With the ball-handling duties transitioning away from the graduates of the mid-2020s, the roster prioritized players who could create their own shots while maintaining the perimeter defense essential to Collins' defensive schemes.

Jayden Reid (Junior, G)

Jayden Reid, a transfer from South Florida, emerged as a primary ball-handler. Standing at 5-10, Reid utilized his speed to break down Big Ten defenses. Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, his role was defined by his ability to distribute, leading the team in assists per game. His presence on the roster provided the Wildcats with a true floor general capable of managing the pace of the game in high-pressure road environments.

K.J. Windham (Sophomore, G)

K.J. Windham continued his development as a scoring threat. After a promising freshman year, Windham took on more responsibility in the 2025-26 rotation. His three-point shooting and downhill speed became vital components of the offense, especially during late-season conference matchups. As a 6-3 guard from Indianapolis, Windham’s size allowed him to defend multiple positions on the perimeter, fitting the versatile mold the coaching staff sought.

Jake West (Freshman, G)

One of the most exciting additions to the 2025-26 northwestern basketball roster was freshman Jake West. A 6-3 guard from Philadelphia, West brought a level of ball-handling and offensive flair that sparked the second unit. His integration into the system was relatively seamless, often playing alongside Reid or Windham in dual-guard lineups to increase the team's transition speed.

The Frontcourt: Strength and Length

Northwestern’s frontcourt underwent a massive transformation for the 2025-26 season. The departure of Matthew Nicholson left a void in the center position that was filled by a combination of experienced transfers and elite young talent.

Nick Martinelli (Senior, F)

Nick Martinelli was the undisputed leader of the roster. Returning for his senior season, the 6-7 forward from Glenview, Illinois, shouldered the heaviest scoring load in the conference. Martinelli’s unique scoring ability—utilizing a variety of floaters, post moves, and mid-range jumpers—made him one of the most difficult matchups in the Big Ten. His presence ensured that while the roster was young in some areas, there was always a reliable veteran to steady the ship.

Arrinten Page (Junior, F)

Standing at 6-11, Arrinten Page provided the interior presence the Wildcats needed following his transfer from Cincinnati. Page’s athleticism allowed the team to be more aggressive in their defensive rotations and shot-blocking. Throughout the 2025-26 season, his role centered on rim protection and rebounding, though he showed flashes of a developing offensive game that stretched to the perimeter.

Tre Singleton (Freshman, F)

Tre Singleton arrived in Evanston as one of the highest-rated recruits in program history. At 6-8 and 225 lbs, Singleton possessed the frame of a college veteran from day one. He quickly earned a spot in the starting rotation, providing a blend of paint scoring and rebounding that complemented Martinelli’s versatile game. His impact as a freshman suggested a bright future for the Wildcats' frontcourt dynamics.

Youth Movement and Depth Players

Beyond the primary starters, the 2025-26 roster was bolstered by several players who provided necessary depth during the grueling Big Ten schedule. The coaching staff utilized a deep rotation to combat injuries and fatigue.

• Jordan Clayton (Junior, G): A steady presence off the bench, Clayton provided defensive intensity and reliable ball-handling. At 6-2, his ability to spell the starting guards without a significant drop-off in production was a key factor in several conference victories.
• Angelo Ciaravino (Sophomore, G): A 6-6 wing with defensive versatility, Ciaravino saw significant action as a rotational piece. His length allowed him to disrupt passing lanes and guard multiple positions from the shooting guard to the small forward spots.
• Max Green (Sophomore, G): A transfer from Holy Cross, Green added another layer of perimeter shooting to the roster. His ability to stretch the floor opened up driving lanes for Reid and Windham.
• Justin Mullins (Senior, G): As one of the older players on the squad, Mullins provided leadership and veteran savvy. His experience was particularly valuable in the locker room and during defensive-heavy stretches of games.

Managing the 2025-26 Rotation

The 2025-26 Northwestern basketball roster consisted of 15 players, including walk-ons who contributed to the team's daily preparation. This group was characterized by its balance: five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and four freshmen (including redshirts). This distribution allowed for a transition of power that did not sacrifice immediate competitiveness.

Coach Chris Collins and his staff—including Chris Lowery, Bryant McIntosh, and Shane Southwell—implemented a system that maximized the roster's improved athleticism. In previous years, the Wildcats often relied on a slower, more methodical pace. However, the 2025-26 roster's composition, featuring more mobile bigs like Page and Singleton and quick guards like Reid, allowed for a more dynamic offensive approach.

2025-26 Roster Details

Tactical Shift: Adapting to the Roster

The presence of Cade Bennerman, a 7-0 freshman, and Arrinten Page at 6-11 gave Northwestern a verticality they occasionally lacked in prior seasons. This enabled a shift in defensive philosophy, allowing the guards to play more aggressively on the perimeter knowing they had rim protection behind them. Offensively, the roster allowed for more "five-out" looks when Gus Hurlburt or Nick Martinelli occupied the frontcourt positions, creating space for Jayden Reid to operate in the pick-and-roll.

The 2025-26 season also saw the integration of Phoenix Gill, a 6-3 freshman and son of NBA veteran Kendall Gill. While Gill utilized the season to adapt to the speed of college basketball, his inclusion on the roster added to the local Chicago-area flavor that Coach Collins has prioritized in recent recruiting cycles.

Statistical Overview of the Roster's Performance

Reflecting on the final stats of the season, the roster's production was distributed among several key contributors rather than relying on a single individual. Nick Martinelli led the team in both scoring and rebounding, but the impact of the newcomers was evident. Jayden Reid finished the season as the team leader in assists, while Arrinten Page led the team in blocks.

The efficiency of the roster was notable in several categories:

• Free Throw Shooting: The Wildcats maintained a high percentage as a team, often closing out tight games at the charity stripe.
• Turnover Margin: Despite the youth at the guard positions, Northwestern remained one of the more disciplined teams in the Big Ten, consistently keeping turnovers low.
• Bench Scoring: The depth of the 2025-26 roster allowed the Wildcats to sustain their intensity even when the starters were resting, with players like Jake West and Angelo Ciaravino providing consistent bench production.

Future Implications of the 2025-26 Group

As the 2025-26 season concludes, the Northwestern basketball roster stands at a crossroads. The loss of seniors like Martinelli and Mullins will be felt, but the core of Reid, Windham, Singleton, and Page provides a strong foundation for the 2026-27 season. The experience gained by the freshman class—specifically Singleton, West, and Bennerman—positions the program to remain a competitive force in the expanded Big Ten.

The recruitment of high-level talent like Singleton and the successful integration of portal additions like Reid and Page have demonstrated that Northwestern can adapt to the modern era of college basketball. The roster construction philosophy has evolved to prioritize versatile athletes who can fit into the high-academic and high-performance culture of the university.

Final Roster Reflection

The 2025-26 Northwestern basketball roster was a group that exceeded many preseason expectations through a combination of veteran grit and youthful exuberance. While the season had its share of challenges in a deep Big Ten, the cohesion of this 15-man unit was a testament to the coaching staff's ability to identify and develop talent that fits the Northwestern mold. As fans look toward the next cycle, the 2025-26 team will be remembered as the group that successfully bridged the gap between two eras of Wildcats basketball, ensuring the program's upward trajectory in one of the nation's premier conferences.