BREAKING: Freshman guard Jake West announces his return to Northwestern men’s basketball
One down, four to go
Northwestern's Jake West (3) and the Wildcats huddle up during the Indiana versus Northwestern men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Northwestern guard Jake West announced his intent to return for another year with the program on Friday night, cementing his spot on the 2026-27 Wildcats squad.
After a flurry of outgoing activity within the last week, this news gives Chris Collins at least one piece of certainty as his team navigates the ever-evolving transfer portal landscape. Entering Northwestern as a three-star prospect and the No. 3 high school player in Pennsylvania, West made 17 starts for the Wildcats last season, averaging 5.
3 points and 2. 8 assists in 33 games played. His play time increased immensely as the season went on and he gained more trust with the coaching staff, highlighted by 5 double-digit scoring performances including 18 points in the Big Ten tournament against Indiana.
He is widely seen as a cornerstone of the ‘Cats future and is a fan-favorite due to his online presence, where he’s racked up over 1. 8 million followers across all platforms. Proving Myself Right😈 pic.