According to sources, former University of Wisconsin guard John Blackwell has narrowed his choices to two schools, both of which will annoy the Badgers.
According to a source who spoke with Badgers on SI and initially reported by 247sports, Blackwell has narrowed down his options to Duke and Illinois for his final year of eligibility after officially entering the transfer portal on Thursday.
Following their first Final Four appearance since 2005, the Illini have momentum and are on the short list of colleges that have yet to have a player transfer. Illinois has to replace starting guard Kylan Boswell (graduation) and likely first-team All-Big Ten guard Keaton Wagler (NBA Draft), but the frontcourt will be packed with the anticipated return of David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, and Tomislav Ivisic.
Illinois’ recruiting prospects improved significantly with the commitment of four-star point guard Quentin Coleman. The top-35 recruit led his Missouri high school to a state title, averaging 23. 1 points, 6. 1 rebounds, 3. 9 assists, and 2. 6 steals while shooting 64. 9% from the field and 50. 6% from three-point range. It is preferable to have a seasoned 2 guard alongside him, such as Blackwell.
Add to this the fact that Blackwell’s father, Glynn Blackwell, participated in 106 games for Illinois (57 starts) between 1984 and 1988, averaging 12. 1 points per game. The opportunity for Blackwell to complete the circle as a senior would be quite appealing.
Duke is experiencing higher roster turnover than Illinois. Cameron Boozer is projected to go pro, while reserve guards/forwards Darren Harris and Nikolas Khamenia are transferring. However, the Blue Devils are bringing in the 247Sports Composite top-rated recruiting group, which includes five-stars Bryson Howard (SF), Deron Rippey Jr. (PG), Cameron Williams (PF), and four-star center Maxime Meyer.
Blackwell’s scoring ability and expertise will be crucial to helping Duke’s young backcourt prosper. Furthermore, given Blackwell’s goal of playing in the NBA, playing for a Blue Devils program that has produced 11 first-round selections since 2021 (five more than any other school) would not be detrimental.
Last season, the Badgers named him to the third-team All-Big Ten. After shooting 43. 0% overall, 38. 9% from three-point range, and 85. 9% from the free-throw line, Blackwell became the ninth Big Ten player since 2000 to average at least 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal per game.
