Minessale Transfers to Marquette From St. Thomas

Brookfield, Wisconsin guard Nolan Minessale is returning home to play for the Golden Eagles after two seasons at the University of St. Thomas.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball

Minessale Transfers to Marquette From St. Thomas

Junior guard Nolan Minessale, a 6-foot-5-inch Brookfield, Wisconsin native, transferred from the University of St. Thomas to Marquette University during the 2026 offseason. Minessale averaged 19.8 points per game in 34 starts in his sophomore season at St. Thomas before entering the transfer portal.

Why it matters

Minessale's parents both attended Marquette, and he attended Marquette University High School, giving the move a local and family connection. Marquette did not offer him a scholarship out of high school, making his return a notable development for the program.

Minessale averaged 19.8 points per game in 34 starts during his sophomore season at St. Thomas, the most recent collegiate output on record. His role and production at Marquette for the 2026-27 season have not yet been established.

The players

Shaka Smart

Shaka Smart is the head basketball coach at Marquette University, who has said he hopes Minessale will embrace the unfamiliar and build connections with new teammates and coaches.

Nolan Minessale

Nolan Minessale is a junior guard from Brookfield, Wisconsin, who previously played at the University of St. Thomas before transferring to Marquette.

The details

Minessale spent his first two collegiate years at the University of St. Thomas before entering the transfer portal and choosing Marquette. He cited the culture and connection of the Marquette program, along with his belief in head coach Shaka Smart's program-building, as reasons for the move.

2026 offseason: Minessale transfers from St. Thomas to Marquette.
Summer 2026: Smart praises Minessale during a media press conference.
2026-27 season: Minessale is expected to contribute to the Marquette roster.

Season Trajectory

Minessale's transfer adds a returning local guard with proven collegiate scoring to a Marquette roster preparing for the 2026-27 season. The move reflects the program's growing use of the transfer portal to add experienced players alongside its existing rotation.

Minessale's addition gives Marquette a returning scorer with a 19.8-point sophomore average, which could affect rotation minutes and scoring distribution. Fantasy and roster watchers should monitor his role once the 2026-27 season begins.

The takeaway

Transfers who return to familiar programs often bring both proven production and a connection to the team's identity. Minessale's path shows how roster moves can rest on family ties as well as on-court performance.