The Duke Blue Devils are not well recognized as an active school in the transfer portal, but that may alter this summer. According to 247Sports’ Travis Branham, the ACC champions are one of two final teams for Wisconsin recruit John Blackwell.
Illinois is Blackwell’s other squad in the final two. The Fighting Illini, coached by Brad Underwood, advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament as a three-seed before being defeated by UConn.
Despite being ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by High Point, Blackwell is coming off his finest season in college. He formally stated on Monday that he will be joining the transfer portal, and the 21-year-old is moving quickly through the procedure.
He will also be undergoing the NBA draft process.
Who Is John Blackwell?
Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has grown into one of the Badgers’ best performers as the new decade approaches. Blackwell started as a role player when he joined the program in 2023-24. During his freshman year, he mostly came off the bench, averaging 8. 0 points and 3. 2 rebounds with a consistent shooting split of 44. 6/45. 5/82. 1.
Blackwell erupted in his sophomore season as a full-time starter, helping the Badgers earn an NCAA Tournament berth as a five-seed. His 2024-25 stats are 15. 8 points, 5. 1 rebounds, and 2. 2 assists per game with 45. 1/32. 2/81. 5 shooting splits.
His junior season was a further step up, as he was Wisconsin’s second-leading scorer behind guard Nick Boyd. In 34 games, John Blackwell averaged 19. 1 points, 5. 1 rebounds, and 2. 3 assists while shooting 43. 0/38. 9/85. 9. He received third-team All-Big Ten recognition.
In his third college basketball season, Blackwell’s best performances occurred in the 2025-26 postseason. In the third round of the Big Ten tournament, he had a double-double with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists, going 14-for-24 from the field in a victory over Washington.
The very next day, in the Big Ten quarterfinal, Blackwell led the Badgers to a 91-88 overtime win over Illinois, finishing with 31 points, six rebounds, and a 9-for-17 shooting performance.
247Sports has John Blackwell ranked as the No. 2 transfer portal prospect, following Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga.
Who is John Blackwell’s favorite?
Duke may be seeking for a wing replacement, as Isaiah Evans is expected to join the 2026 NBA Draft. John Blackwell would be an excellent choice. The Blue Devils will also be losing rookie forward Nikolas Khamenia, who transferred into the transfer portal earlier this week.
The Blue Devils’ competitor, Illinois, is looking for replacements for guards Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell. Wagler, a rookie in 2025-26, topped the Fighting Illini in points per game (17. 9). He is expected to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Boswell is no longer qualified for university.
It’s also worth mentioning that John Blackwell’s father, Glynn Blackwell, played for Illinois from 1984 to 1988. This will be a contributing element in the top transfer prospect’s choice.
“I’m searching for a location where I can improve my talents for the NBA and compete for a national championship,” Blackwell told ESPN. “A place where that’s the norm, something we’re aiming for.
It will be an exciting game between two of college basketball’s most successful programs in the 2025-26 season. John Blackwell’s decision is expected to be announced soon.
