5 Northwestern Basketball Players Who Impressed This Season
Northwestern basketball had a great season and these 5 players impressed us the most. Learn more about them here!
Pat Spencer
Pat Spencer a 6-foot-6 sophomore guard from Evanston, Illinois, was one of the most improved players in the Big Ten this season. Spencer averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43 percent from three-point range He was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the media and was a key player for the Wildcats as they won a share of the Big Ten regular season title.
Ryan Greer
Ryan Greer was a big part of Northwestern’s success this season. The junior guard averaged 11.6 points and 4.4 assists per game He was also a key contributor on the defensive end, averaging 1.9 steals per game. Greer was named First Team All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches.
Pete Nance
As a redshirt freshman, Pete Nance impressed Northwestern basketball fans with his shooting and overall game. Nance was a top-100 recruit in the 2018 class and he did not disappoint this season, averaging 10.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3 percent from three-point range. He is the son of former NBA player Larry Nance and the brother of current NBA player Larry Nance Jr., so it is no surprise that he has some serious basketball pedigree. Look for Nance to continue to be a key player for the Wildcats next season.
Anthony Gaines
Anthony Gaines was a four-star recruit in the 2018 class and the No. 84 player in the country, according to 247Sports. He committed to Northwestern over offers from Louisville, Miami, Marquette, and others.
Gaines entered his freshman season with high expectations and he did not disappoint. He started all 33 games for the Wildcats and averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Gaines was especially effective on the defensive end of the floor where he used his 6’4” frame and long arms to become a disruptive force.
While Gaines didn’t put up huge numbers offensively, he was efficient when he did shoot the ball. He shot 46 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range while also displaying an ability to get to the Free Throw Line where he shot 80 percent.
Gaines was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and he was also selected as Northwestern’s Defensive Player of the Year. He is a big part of the reason why Northwestern had one of the best seasons in school history and he figures to be a key player for the Wildcats moving forward
Dererk Pardon
6-foot-8 center Dererk Pardon was one of the most improved players in the nation this season, increasing his scoring average by more than six points per game while also increasing his rebounding and blocked shots averages. He was a big reason why Northwestern was able to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
