John Blackwell’s future was at least somewhat uncertain for several weeks. The former Wisconsin standout put the NBA Draft process to the test, paid attention to what scouts had to say, and made college basketball enthusiasts wait as one of the top players in the league debated his next course of action.
The wait is now over. Blackwell formally withdrew from the NBA Draft on Friday and will play for Duke the next season, immediately giving Jon Scheyer one of the most potent backcourts in the nation.
Honestly, this modifies everything.
At Wisconsin last year, Blackwell was already among the top guards in all of collegiate basketball. He averaged 19. 1 points, 5. 1 rebounds, and 2. 3 assists while making about 39% of his 3-point attempts. However, it was when those figures occurred that his season was genuinely frightening for opponents.
He played his best in the most important competitions.
He scored 26 points in a road victory against Michigan, who would eventually win the national championship. He averaged 27. 5 points in two victories against Illinois, a Final Four squad. In one of Wisconsin’s greatest victories of the year, he scored 25 points at Purdue. Blackwell recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Badgers’ sad defeat to High Point in the NCAA Tournament.
That’s not empty manufacturing.
That is a player made for the big stage.
At long last, Duke acquired the proven star it so badly required.
Duke brings in top-tier talent during every offseason. That aspect remains constant. However, proven production differs significantly from potential output, especially in contemporary collegiate basketball where roster consistency is almost nonexistent.
Blackwell provides Duke with something far more valuable than hype. He assures the Blue Devils.
Scheyer now has a seasoned guard who is already adept at leading an offense against top-tier opponents. Duke doesn’t need to expect a freshman to become a star right away. Blackwell is currently one.
In March, that’s important.
Despite all the talent Duke has brought in over the last few years, the Blue Devils have still had times when their offense has faltered in the latter part of games. Because Blackwell is able to generate his own shot, score at all three levels, and manage pressure without cowering under the glare, he alters that equation.
The ACC road atmosphere does not scare players who excel against Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue.
What scares the rest of college basketball
It’s possible that Blackwell hasn’t even reached his full potential yet. Wisconsin saw a significant improvement in his performance. In his first year, he scored 8. 0 points per game, then 15. 8 in his second year, and finally, he became a nearly 20-point scorer in the previous season. His physical presence, shot creation, and confidence all improved significantly.
He is now enrolled in a Duke program that is replete with talent, spacing, national coverage, and NBA-quality training facilities. Everyone should be terrified by that combination.
The NBA feedback probably helped Blackwell understand precisely what he needs to work on before turning pro. He now has a real chance to return to college basketball, rule the game, and maybe play himself into first-round status next spring, rather than being a second-round risk right now.
And the immediate gratification is Duke’s. Friday night, the Blue Devils did more than just acquire another talented player. One of the few guards in the nation who has the potential to turn a championship race around on his own was added to their roster.
Because of this, the decision seems so momentous. Even before, Duke was known to be a strong college basketball team. The Blue Devils now seem hazardous in a very different manner.
