Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, right, drives the lane as Montana guard Malik Moore defends during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — A centerpiece of last year’s Badger MBB team is returning to college after testing the NBA Draft waters.
John Blackwell has announced he plans to enroll at Duke University this fall. The Michigan native spent three years in Madison, averaging 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
But his biggest moments came when the Badgers needed it the most. He dropped 26 points in a road win over Michigan during the regular season and scored 55 points in two late-season wins over Illinois. Both of those teams appeared in the Men’s Final Four, with Michigan taking home the title.
Wisconsin appeared in the NCAA tournament in each of Blackwell’s three seasons. In two of those years, they were unable to avoid the dreaded 12-over-5 upset, losing to James Madison University in 2024 and High Point (NC) in 2026. The 2025 team defeated 14-seed Montana in the first round before losing to BYU.
It’s unclear how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funding impacted Blackwell’s decision, but stories like his are expected to become more common. College basketball insiders have noted that high-level Division I NIL deals are just as lucrative as entry-level NBA contracts, especially for those drafted late in the first or second rounds.
ESPN NBA Draft analysts did not have him projected as one of the 60 selections heading into the recent Draft Combine in Chicago.
Blackwell and the Blue Devils will have a challenging 2026-’27 schedule, including a home date with Illinois and neutral-site games against Michigan State, Gonzaga, and UConn.
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