Duke basketball is once again reloading, as it always does.
The Blue Devils secured a commitment from former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell on Tuesday, April 21, bringing one of the top-rated prospects in the transfer market to Durham. Last season, the 6-foot-4 junior averaged 19. 1 points, 5. 1 rebounds, and 2. 3 assists per game, winning all-Big Ten third-team accolades.
It simply felt right, according to Blackwell (The Field of 68). It felt proper for me from the start. When I spoke with Coach (Jon) Scheyer and Coach (Emanuel) Dildy, we talked and it just felt like the right fit for me. When I arrived on campus, it verified everything I was searching for.
Blackwell is rated No. 7 in USA TODAY’s transfer portal rankings, and the No. 2 guard in the portal after former Wake Forest standout Juke Harris, who remains uncommitted.
The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native played 72 games in three seasons with the Badgers, averaging double digits on Wisconsin’s back-to-back NCAA Tournament squads. He has a 1-3 record in March Madness, with two first-round upset losses to No. 12 seeds High Point and James Madison in 2026 and 2024, respectively.
Blackwell will most likely start in the backcourt alongside returning guard Cayden Boozer, with the possibility of Isaiah Evans joining them. Evans is now considering an NBA Draft decision for 2026. Dame Sarr and Caleb Foster may also return to Duke, with new Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski and returning center Patrick Ngongba expected to share frontcourt responsibilities.
Blackwell was enormous down the stretch for Wisconsin, scoring 25 points in the Badgers’ regular season finale victory over Purdue before scoring 34 against Washington and 31 against Illinois in consecutive Big Ten tournament games. He also had 22 points in Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament defeat against High Point.
