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.
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.
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 Kentucky.
Karasinski will play a critical role in Northwestern’s newly constructed offense. Look for him to be a late-clock shot creator and make trips to the foul line when the pressure is on. Karasinski will provide necessary spacing to open up driving lanes for sophomore guard Jake West.
In Northwestern’s exhibition game against Illinois State, Karasinski finished with 13 points and three rebounds while shooting 5-for-6 from the field.
As a graduate transfer, he will play one season with the Wildcats.
LA Pratt
Pratt brings a combination of size, athleticism and defensive power to the backcourt.
The 6-foot-5 graduate transfer began his collegiate career at Elon, averaging 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season. He transferred to Northeastern the following year, increasing production to 11.2 points per game while shooting 43% from the field.
Pratt appeared poised for a breakout in 2024-25. campaign, highlighted by a 26-point performance against Boston University before a foot injury cut his season short.
Now healthy, Pratt will look to make up for lost time in Evanston. His ability to push the tempo and create offense should give Collins a change-of-pace option at point guard.
Pratt also brings a defensive edge, having recorded 42 steals during the 2024-25 season.
Circle Nov. 27 on the calendar, when Pratt will have the opportunity to face his former team as Northeastern visits Evanston.
Luke McEldon
The 6-foot-10 forward emerged as a reliable interior scorer at Mount St. Mary’s last season.
McEldon started 29 games, averaging 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. He previously spent two seasons at Santa Clara.
The big man will play a pivotal role this season as Collins was tasked with replacing the entire front court.
Marked as an efficient scorer, McEldon led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in field goal percentage last season with 64.5% from the floor. His offensive production, however, has mostly been confined to the interior.
McEldon offers physicality and interior efficiency. Both things Northwestern will need to compete against the Big Ten’s formidable frontcourts.
Aleksej Kostic
Collins infused more international talent into the roster with the addition of guard Kostic, a 6-foot-4 guard from Pfaffstätten, Austria.
Kostic arrives in Evanston after spending last season at BYU, where he averaged 4.4 points per game off the bench for a Cougars team program featuring star AJ Dybantsa.
Prior to his collegiate career, Kostic competed professionally in Austria’s Superliga for the Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions, averaging 6.5 points per game while shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc.
He also made his mark on the international stage, helping Austria secure a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B tournament, scoring 19.1 points per game while connecting on 39.2% of his three-point attempts per FIBA.
Kostic’s experience, mobility and perimeter shooting should provide Collins with another versatile offensive weapon.
Okku Federiko
Northwestern strengthened its defense with the addition of the 6-foot-9 shot-blocking machine from Helsinki, Finland.
Federiko arrives from Drake, where he averaged 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1 block per game while shooting 52.2% from the field.
His 35 blocks tied for the 11th most in Drake history, per ESPN. Prior to Drake, he played Power Five ball at South Carolina, although he saw limited action.
Federiko played for Finland at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, averaging 11.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He has qualified for the 2027 IBA World Cup.
Federiko scored 6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in Northwestern’s exhibition game vs. Illinois State.
The Wildcats will lean on the junior’s rebounding and shot-blocking this season.
Colin Smith
Smith is a proven scorer, adding size and experience to the front line. The 6-foot-8 grad transfer from Dallas was a highly touted four-star recruit by ESPN, recording 1,525 points, 700 rebounds and 505 assists in high school and securing a state championship. The forward spent his first two seasons in the SEC at Vanderbilt, averaging 8.7 points per game in 2024-25. Smith started in every game at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), averaging 11.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5% from three.
Smith has one year of eligibility remaining.
Ryan Soulis
Soulis, the big man from Greece, adds much-needed size, experience and versatility to Northwestern’s front court.
The 6-foot-10 forward arrives from Columbia, where he averaged 5.8 points. 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks per game with limited minutes last season.
Prior to Columbia, Soulis played for the Richmond Spiders for two seasons.
Look for the red shirt junior to elevate the Wildcats’ game with solid interior point scoring and rebounding.
Dylan Williams
Williams will bring depth to the guard position this season. He suffered a season-ending injury last season at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2024-25, he appeared in 25 games for the Quakers, averaging 4.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
Williams is the model of resilience and persistence. Williams forged his path from NJCAA, earning the “Best Small Man” award at the NJCAA’s national championship weekend in the 2023-24 season. Now, he is in the Big Ten, primed to finish strong in his final season.