Giving 2k ratings out to NU MBB’s squad

We rate Northwestern’s roster, from an All-American candidate to a fan-favorite walk-on.

College basketball fans rejoiced on social media after both EA Sports and NBA 2K accounts hinted the return of a college basketball game on Twitter, after over a decade of dormancy. (For reference, the last time any college basketball video game released, then-Oklahoma star Blake Griffin graced the cover. He has been retired from the NBA for over two years.)

Although the game is not expected to officially release until 2028, the hype is not going anywhere. We might not see any college hoops on our consoles this year, but it is always fun to dream. What would Northwestern’s men’s basketball 2025-26 squad look like on 2K?

The Roster:

Nick Martinelli – 93 OVR

Who else? After a monstrous season during which he shot out of a cannon from the get-go and was Northwestern’s offensive leader for practically the entire season — especially amidst devastating injuries to Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach — Martinelli will once again be the leader on and off the court for these Wildcats. Looking to break into All-American and even NBA Draft conversations, the Italian Stallion still has plenty to prove going into his final year in Evanston. I give him a 93 overall because there are definitely aspects of his game that can see improvement, most notably his shooting, but his dominance on both sides of the court is enough to justify such a rating. Oh, and he’s earning a Hall of Fame “Float Game” badge, no question.

K.J. Windham – 86 OVR

Next up is another breakout player who came out of the woodworks for NU this past winter. A young freshman with plenty of talent, Windham took a little while to adjust to the college game but found his footing down the stretch, putting on offensive masterpieces at times en route to what was ultimately a very promising first year. Windham is only bound to take another step (or two) forwards; putting him in the 90s feels a little ridiculous right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he warrants such a rating by next season’s end.

Max Green – 85 OVR

By far the biggest transfer portal get for head coach Chris Collins, Green provides an amazing combination of size, mobility and shot-making ability that altogether makes him an under-the-radar candidate to take the Big Ten by storm and sneak his way into all-conference honors. After averaging nearly 15 points per game in his only year at Holy Cross (and earning Patriot League Freshman of the Year along the way), Green comes to NU with three years of eligibility and a polished skill set. His defense could use some work, but his offensive potential already places him at an 85 overall.

Jayden Reid – 81 OVR

The second of three transfers brought in by Coach Collins, Jayden Reid might be the most skilled player on this roster pound-for-pound. Despite standing at just 5’10”, the Westbury, New York native is a natural talent and knows how to get the ball in the basket by any means. Furthermore, his three-point range is something ‘Cats fans should be excited about, as he converted at a nearly 36% clip while shooting over five triples per game last season. His size and turnovers definitely raise concerns, but Reid is nonetheless a crafty guard who deserves his spot in the 80s range.

Justin Mullins – 79 OVR

It took a while for Justin Mullins to really grow into the player he is today, but, boy, was it worth the wait. After an impressive freshman season at Denver, Mullins came to Evanston but didn’t see much action until this season. After beginning as an offensive liability, he’s grown into a more capable scorer; but what is most valuable about him is without a doubt his defensive prowess. Mullins is all over the floor, and won’t back down from a defensive challenge. With some more offensive firepower, he could get a boost to this rating in no time.

Tre Singleton – 78 OVR

Rated a three-star on ESPN but a four-star on 247 Sports, Singleton is, in my opinion, the most promising recruit in the 2025 class. Coming over from Indiana, Singleton chose the Wildcats over the likes of Purdue, Louisville and Xavier, among others. His feel for the game stands out the most when watching him, with his polished footwork and passing IQ making him look like a college upperclassmen rather than high school senior. Singleton might not be the focal point of this team this year, but by the time this video game actually comes out, he could be on the front cover. Who knows?

Angelo Ciaravino – 77 OVR

Although he was slightly outshined by fellow freshman Windham, Ciaravino had an impressive first season in his own right, looking more and more comfortable as the year went on. The normal first-year offensive jitters don’t seem to be there for him, as he looked unafraid to shoot or put someone on a poster. There’s a lot of room for growth, but Ciaravino should shape up into a reliable starter in the years to come.

Arrinten Page – 76 OVR

The third and final transfer plucked out of the portal, Page provides Northwestern with their only true big man with real college experience. Coming over from Cincinnati where he averaged 3.5 points per contest, Page’s size is his biggest contribution. Standing at 6’11”, 240 lbs., the Atlanta, Georgia native earns his 76 because of his God-given size and good defensive awareness.

Jake West – 76 OVR

Probably the most famous player on this roster by the numbers, West announced his commitment to Northwestern last October despite a plethora of offers. Amassing 1.6 million followers on TikTok, West isn’t just an influencer but a really skilled ball-handler with a good offensive feel for the game. It’s never easy to pinpoint where incoming freshmen should be rated, but I’m giving West a 76 because of what he’s shown in high school, combined with how hard it might be for him to get opportunities in a crowded guard room this year.

Jordan Clayton – 75 OVR

Now known as one of NU’s most selfless players, Clayton burned his redshirt season mid-year to come back and slot in as a starting point guard after a flurry of injuries left NU in a tough spot. He definitely took a step forward in terms of offensive confidence, but Clayton will never be a go-to option on that side of the court. However, his playmaking and ability to guide offensive sets still slots him in at a respectable 75.

Tyler Kropp – 74 OVR

Another incoming recruit, Kropp is currently playing for the U-19 Argentina team in the FIBA World Cup. While it is tough to predict exactly how efficient he’ll be on the college level, he shows a lot of promise as a lengthy forward who has great finishing ability.

Blake Smith – 74 OVR

One of the most valuable walk-ons in the country, Smith is likely to see a continued increase in playing time as he proves his worth as a smart and lengthy defender. It’s hard to put him any higher than a 74 given his limited impact offensively, but don’t get it twisted: Blake Smith will be an integral piece to the success of this Northwestern team.

Cade Bennerman – 73 OVR

Bennerman is another one of five incoming recruits, and provides some excitement in Evanston because of his size. Also 6’11”, Bennerman will be able to grow as he backs up Page this year. He might not be the biggest contributor this year, but has a lot of potential.

Phoenix Gill – 72 OVR

Last but not least of the freshmen is Gill, who is hindered by his size at just 6’2”, but still possesses a lot of impressive traits for an incoming freshman. A Chicago native, Gill won’t be traveling far as he gears up for summer workouts. His 72 rating is warranted for now, but won’t last long.

Gus Hurlburt – 61 OVR

And finally, the Gus Bus. Hurlburt, another walk-on alongside Smith, is a crowd favorite whenever he gets in the game. He gets the energy going at Welsh-Ryan Arena, but isn’t a major contributor outside of that. Thus, his 61 rating.