Note #026: Nolan Minessale (Marquette Made)
Former St. Thomas-Minnesota guard Nolan Minessale is returning home in 2026-27, committing to Marquette University after playing high school ball one mile down the street at Marquette University High School.
As a sophomore in 2025-26, Minessale went nuclear for the Tommies, averaging 19.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, and 5.1 FT/G, while shooting 50.6% from the floor (228/451).
The only other sophomore, since 1953-54, to average at least 19.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4 APG, and 5 FT/G while shooting 50+% from the floor:
Larry Bird (1976-1977) - 32.8 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 4.4 APG, 6.6 FT/G, 54.5 FG% (375/689)
Now, let's swap the 50+ FG% for another per game metric, SPG. Minessale averaged a notable 1.6 in 2025-26.
The other six NCAA Division I men's players, besides Minessale and Bird (2.8 SPG), to average 19.5+ PPG, 4.5+ RPG, 4+ APG, 1.5+ SPG, and 5+ FT/G in their sophomore season (min. 25 GP):
< 20 PPG
1. Mark Sears (2021-22) - 19.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 5.4 FT/G
20-24 PPG
2. James Harden (2008-09) - 20.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 5.8 FT/G
3, Shamorie Ponds (2017-18) - 21.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.3 SPG, 5.o FT/G
24-26 PPG
4. Ja Morant (2018-19) - 24.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 6.7 FT/G
5. Rodney Stuckey (2006-07) - 24.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.4 SPG, 5.2 FT/G
6. Kenny Anderson (1990-91) - 25.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 3.0 SPG, 5.2 FT/G
And if we swap FT/G for BPG (Minessale - 0.6), only four other sophomores besides him since 1947-48 have met the above benchmarks averaging at least 0.5 BPG as well (Bird and Morant are two of the four).
Lastly, if we remove the SPG and BPG thresholds all together, just 17 NCAA DI sophomores have met the 19.5+ PPG, 4.5+ RPG, 4+ APG criteria in a single season (min. 25 GP).
Bird just appeared in Note #024 on Gavin Doty's own sophomore takeover.
Other appearances include: Sears in Note #007 on Isaac Celiscar, Harden in Note #012 (Eian Elmer) and Note #020 (Jalan Haralson), Morant in #021 (Robert Wright III) and #025 (Elijah Crawford), and Anderson (#003 / #008 / #010).
The other two sophomores:
1. Labaron Philon - 22.0 PPG, 5.0 APG
2. Tyler Tanner - 19.5 PPG, 5.1 APG
If we add on RPG too (Minessale - 4.6), the only other player in 2025-26 to average at least 19.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.5 RPG was freshman:
Cameron Boozer - 22.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.1 APG
Boozer, who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after 2025-26, simply cannot be stopped.
Philon and Tanner, who both appear in Note #021 on Robert Wright III and Note #025 on Elijah Crawford, each declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after 2025-26 as well.
Tanner opted to withdraw from the process and return to Vanderbilt for 2026-27.
Anyway, in 2024-25, as a freshman at St.Thomas, Minessale averaged:
11.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG in 34 GP (26.3 MP/G)
Of the 22 men's NCAA DI players in 2024-25 to average 11+ PPG, 3.5+ RPG, 2+ APG, 1+ SPG, 1+ BPG, three were freshmen - Minessale, and:
1. Cooper Flagg - 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG in 37 GP (30.7 MP/G)
2. Thomas Sorber - 14.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.0 BPG in 24 GP (31.3 MP/G)
Flagg (who we originally "flagged" back in Note #003 on 2026 NBA Draft prospect Keaton Wagler) and Sorber both went pro after 2024-25.
Both were selected in the 2025 NBA Draft - Flagg was the No.1 overall pick, Sorber 15th.
Minessale also shot 56.2% from the floor in 2024-25.
Since 1953-54, only three other freshmen besides Minessale averaged the per game benchmarks above + shot at least 56% from the field (min. 30 GP):
1. Zion Williamson (2018-19) - 22.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.8 BPG in 33 GP (30.0 MP/G)
2. Danny Manning (1984-85) - 14.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG in 34 GP (32.9 MP/G)
3. Greg Monroe (2008-09) - 12.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG in 31 GP (30.9 MP/G)
Minessale is the only player listed at guard.
He (6'5") is also at least 2" shorter than Williamson (6'7" forward), Manning (6'10" forward), and Monroe (6'11" center).
Williamson got a shoutout in Note #016 on new USC commit Eric Reibe.
Statistics via Sports Reference
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