Markquis Nowell Bio
Markquis Morris Nowell (born December 25, 1999) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Baskonia of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and listed at 163 pounds, Nowell plays the point guard position and has built his reputation as one of the most creative distributors in American basketball. He is best known for setting the Division I NCAA Tournament single-game assists record with 19 against Michigan State in the 2023 Sweet Sixteen, a performance that cemented his place in college basketball history.
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Nowell built his professional resume through the NBA G League, playing for the Raptors 905 and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. His career path reflects persistence, vision, and a relentless competitive edge that has carried him from overlooked high school recruit to a starting guard on one of Europe’s most competitive stages.
Early Life and Background
Markquis Morris Nowell was born on December 25, 1999, in New York City, New York. Growing up in a city known for producing elite basketball talent, Nowell developed his game on the playgrounds and in the gymnasiums of the five boroughs before eventually crossing state lines to play at one of New Jersey’s most storied high school programs.
Nowell began his high school career at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he played under Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. After receiving limited playing time following his freshman year, he transferred to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, New York, for his sophomore and junior seasons. There, he played alongside Julian and Justin Champagnie and averaged 19.9 points and 8.1 assists per game as a junior, showcasing the playmaking instincts that would later define his college career.
For his senior season, Nowell transferred to The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, where he averaged 10.9 points per game despite missing roughly a month with injuries. Despite his high school production, he received no Division I offers out of high school, a setback that ultimately pushed him toward a smaller collegiate program where he could continue developing his game.
Path to Professional Basketball
Nowell’s college journey began at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he played for the Little Rock Trojans from 2018 to 2021. As a freshman, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, earning immediate playing time. His game grew during his sophomore year, when he posted 17.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game, leading to a First Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2020. He was also suspended for two games in January 2020 for disciplinary reasons.
Following his junior season at Little Rock, in which he averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, Nowell opted out of the remainder of the 2020 campaign and entered the transfer portal. He landed at Kansas State, joining the Wildcats under a new coaching staff led by Jerome Tang.
Markquis Nowell Career
Early Career at Kansas State (2021–2023)
Nowell quickly became a centerpiece of the Kansas State Wildcats’ rotation. In his first season in Manhattan, he averaged 12.4 points and team-highs of 5.0 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He was one of only two players to return to Kansas State after Jerome Tang was hired to replace Bruce Weber, providing leadership and stability during the coaching transition.
His senior season in 2022–23 was the defining campaign of his college career. On January 10, 2023, Nowell was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association after erupting for a career-high 36 points, along with nine assists and three steals, in a 116–103 win over Texas. By season’s end, he had been named First Team All-Big 12 and earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.
NCAA Tournament Breakthrough (2023)
The 2023 NCAA Tournament was the stage on which Nowell became a national star. In the first round, he recorded 17 points and a then career-high 14 assists in a 77–65 win over Montana State. Two days later, he scored 27 points and added 9 assists in a second-round victory over the Kentucky Wildcats.
On March 23, 2023, Nowell delivered one of the most iconic individual performances in tournament history. Playing on a sprained ankle against Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen, he scored 20 points, added 5 steals, and dished out 19 assists in an overtime win, setting a new NCAA Tournament single-game assists record. Two days later, he added 30 points and 12 assists in a narrow Elite Eight loss to Florida Atlantic, finishing the tournament with one of the most decorated individual runs in Kansas State history.
Raptors 905 Era (2023–2024)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Nowell signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 3, 2023. He made an immediate impression in summer league action, recording 17 points, 12 assists, and 3 rebounds in a 108–101 win over the Golden State Warriors on July 15, 2023. Nowell was waived by Toronto on March 4, 2024, and joined the Raptors 905 two days later, where he continued to showcase his playmaking skills. He was also selected to participate in the NBA G League Next Up Game in 2024.
Baskonia Era (2025–Present)
Nowell signed with Baskonia of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague on September 20, 2025, marking his transition to top-level European basketball. The move represented a significant step up in competition and an opportunity to play on one of the most demanding international stages.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nowell is widely regarded as a quintessential floor general despite his smaller frame. His court vision, tempo control, and ability to thread passes through tight spaces define his offensive identity. He pairs his playmaking with tenacious perimeter defense and an improving perimeter shot. He reads pick-and-roll actions at an elite level, consistently putting teammates in position to score.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 19-assist performance against Michigan State in the 2023 Sweet Sixteen stands as Nowell’s signature moment and a lasting NCAA Tournament record. He also earned the Bob Cousy Award in 2023 as the nation’s top point guard, was named a Third-team All-American by the AP, USBWA, NABC, and SN, and captured both First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Defensive honors in the same year.
Markquis Nowell Career Wins
Nowell’s career achievements span the Sun Belt, Big 12, NBA G League, and now European basketball. He has collected individual conference honors at two different levels, captured a national positional award, and added a selection to the NBA G League’s Next Up Game to his résumé.
Big 12 and NCAA Tournament Highlights
Nowell’s 2022–23 season at Kansas State produced his most decorated run. He earned the Bob Cousy Award, Third-team All-American recognition, First Team All-Big 12 honors, and a Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection. His NCAA Tournament performance, capped by the 19-assist record against Michigan State, ranks among the most prolific individual showings in the event’s modern history.
Other Wins and Performances
At Little Rock, Nowell was a First Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2020 and developed into one of the conference’s most productive guards. In the NBA G League, he earned a selection to the 2024 Next Up Game, an annual showcase of the league’s top emerging talent.
Markquis Nowell Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Specific details about Nowell’s family background are not widely documented in public sources. He is known to have played alongside Julian and Justin Champagnie during his time at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, a connection that helped shape his competitive approach during his formative years in New York City.
Personal Life
Nowell has kept much of his personal life private. Publicly available information about his marital status, children, and close family members remains limited, and he has not publicly disclosed details beyond his immediate basketball career.
2025 Season Performance
Nowell’s 2025 campaign has been defined by his transition to European basketball. After signing with Baskonia on September 20, 2025, he joined a team competing simultaneously in Spain’s Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, two of the most competitive basketball competitions in the world. The move marked his first opportunity to test his playmaking skills against top international competition on a nightly basis.
Earlier in 2025, Nowell had brief stints with the Houston Rockets and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, giving him valuable NBA and G League experience before his overseas leap. That experience, combined with his Kansas State résumé, made him an attractive target for Baskonia’s front office.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Nowell’s role with Baskonia will center on running the offense, setting up teammates, and providing defensive intensity at the point of attack. His track record of record-setting assists and national awards suggests he is well equipped to handle the demands of European basketball, and the season represents the next chapter in one of the more unique professional journeys in the modern game.