Nolan Minessale Brings Free-Throw Pressure and Playmaking to Marquette

Nolan Minessale Marquette — Nolan Minessale is coming home. The 6’5″, 195-pound junior guard from Brookfield, Wisconsin, has transferred from St. Thomas to Marquette for the 2026-27 season, giving Shaka Smart’s backcourt a proven scorer and a relentless free-throw drawer with two years of eligibility remaining.

Two years, 68 starts at St. Thomas

Minessale was an every-game starter for the Tommies, appearing in the opening lineup for all 68 of his collegiate contests. He averaged over 26 minutes per game as a freshman and over 31 as a sophomore, finishing both seasons as a double-digit scorer. Last year he led St. Thomas in scoring at 19.8 points per game while also leading the team in assists.

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His career averages sit at 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals. As a freshman he led the Summit League in blocks per game at 1.1, though that number decreased in his sophomore year. Last season he averaged 1.6 steals per game, with a 3.1% steal rate that ranked #173 nationally on KenPom.

Where he helps: fouls, playmaking, steals

The strongest part of Minessale’s profile is his ability to get to the line. He ranked #40 nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes, drawing 6.5 per 40, and his free throw rate ranked #195. He attempted 232 free throws against 451 field goal attempts. In five games against top-100 KenPom opponents, his free throw rate was 54%.

That skill addresses a clear Marquette need. The Golden Eagles ranked #243 in team free throw rate last season, and Chase Ross’s 42.7% free throw rate ranked #363. Marquette also lacked creators alongside Nigel James after a midseason reorganization, and Minessale’s playmaking — he was KenPom top 180 in assist rate — could help fill that gap.

The three-point question

Minessale is a career 30.8% three-point shooter. He went 17-for-54 (31.5%) as a freshman and 44-for-144 (30.6%) as a sophomore. In 11 career games against top-100 KenPom opponents, he shot 7-for-32 (21.9%) from deep.

At St. Thomas he was the fifth option among five players who launched at least 100 three-pointers. Four of those five hit at least 33.9%; Minessale was the outlier. Carter Bjerke shot more threes than Minessale and hit nearly 45%. The concern is whether Minessale’s long-range shooting can hold up in the Big East.

Canada trip offered a proof of concept

During Marquette’s Canada trip, Minessale averaged 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 19 minutes per game, with exactly two steals in each contest. He shot 33% on three-pointers and 64% on two-pointers. In the second game he went 2-for-8 from deep while the team shot 7-for-37 (19%) from three.

He was the third starter in the backcourt on that trip, though Smart said on October 3 at open practice that the starting spot was not settled. Minessale could start or serve as a super sub.

Projection and fit

BartTorvik projects Minessale at 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in about 22 minutes. That may undersell his scoring ability given his 19.8 points per game last season, though the jump in competition is real.

Marquette ranked #147 in two-point shooting and #4 in shortest average attempt distance last season, so Minessale’s 60% two-point shooting and ability to draw fouls could diversify the offense. Whether his free-throw drawing translates to Big East play remains unknown, as does his exact role in a crowded backcourt.

Minessale was unranked by 247 Sports out of high school, where he won a state title at Marquette University High School. His homecoming story is a fun subplot, but the larger question is whether he can help Marquette solve its offensive issues. Nevada Smith left for the Siena head coaching job, adding further change to the staff. For now, Minessale’s role is uncertain, but his free-throw pressure and playmaking give the Golden Eagles a useful option.