Trending Now - Duke Secures Transfer Guard John Blackwell, Boosting Roster
WHO:
ESPN - John Blackwell is still going through the NBA draft process.
ESPN - Blackwell is represented by Todd Ramasar and Alexis Liatsos at Life Sports Agency.
ESPN - John Blackwell is the top transfer acquisition of Jon Scheyer's tenure at Duke.
ESPN - John Blackwell is represented by Todd Ramasar and Alexis Liatsos at Life Sports Agency.
ESPN - John Blackwell, a 6-foot-4 guard from Wisconsin, has committed to Duke.
The New York Times - Jon Scheyer is the head coach of Duke.
WHAT:
ESPN - Blackwell hit 30+ points five times for Wisconsin during the 2025 season.
ESPN - Blackwell averaged 44.1% shooting from the field during the 2025 season.
ESPN - Blackwell stated, "We're just going to push each other every day," regarding the competition in Duke's backcourt.
ESPN - Blackwell is expected to slot directly into the starting lineup for Duke, which is projected as a top-five program entering the 2026 season.
The New York Times - Blackwell shot 86.3% from the free-throw line last season.
The New York Times - Blackwell averaged 26 points across three Big Ten tournament games.
ESPN - Blackwell stated, "Their pitch to me was, come here, have freedom," regarding his decision to transfer to Duke.
ESPN - Blackwell mentioned, "You can come here and be a draft pick, and that's always my dream."
ESPN - Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game last season.
ESPN - Blackwell earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in the 2025 season.
The New York Times - Blackwell is ranked as the No. 3 transfer in The Athletic’s rankings.
The New York Times - Blackwell is considered the best scoring guard available in the transfer portal this spring.
ESPN - Blackwell had 34 points and 10 rebounds in the third round of the Big Ten tournament against Washington.
ESPN - Blackwell scored 31 points on 9-for-17 shooting in an overtime win over Illinois.
ESPN - Blackwell finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds against High Point in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The New York Times - Blackwell shot nearly 39% from 3-point range last season, including 44.2% on catch-and-shoot attempts.
The New York Times - Blackwell is a rising senior with three seasons of NCAA Tournament experience.
The New York Times - Blackwell is a two-year starter for Wisconsin.
WHERE:
ESPN - Blackwell visited Duke's campus on April 20th, 2026.
The New York Times - Blackwell played for Wisconsin before transferring to Duke.
WHEN:
On3 - Blackwell announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on April 6th, 2026.
ESPN - Blackwell's commitment to Duke was announced on April 21st, 2026.
ESPN - Blackwell announced his commitment to Duke on April 21st, 2026.
The New York Times - Blackwell's notable performance against Michigan occurred on January 10th, 2026.
ESPN - Duke's Elite Eight loss to UConn occurred in March 2026.
WHY:
On3 - Blackwell's commitment comes as Duke is losing major production with Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans expected to declare for the NBA Draft.
The New York Times - Blackwell's addition aligns with Duke's strategy to get older and more experienced after their Elite Eight loss to UConn.
The New York Times - Blackwell's addition is part of Duke's strategy to combine experienced transfers with a top-ranked recruiting class.
ESPN - Blackwell stated, "It just felt right," regarding his decision to transfer to Duke.
ESPN - Blackwell mentioned wanting to help Duke win a national championship and pursue his dream of becoming a draft pick.
The New York Times - Duke aims to get older and more experienced after their Elite Eight loss, focusing on veteran players.
HOW:
ESPN - Blackwell expressed that he connected with Coach Jon Scheyer on a different level during the recruiting process.
ESPN - Blackwell stated, "Their track record with producing pros definitely played a part in it," regarding his decision to transfer to Duke.
ESPN - Blackwell expressed excitement about joining a backcourt that includes returnees Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer, as well as five-star recruit Deron Rippey Jr.
ESPN - Blackwell connected with Coach Jon Scheyer during the recruiting process, which influenced his decision.
The New York Times - Blackwell's addition is part of Duke's strategy to combine experienced transfers with a top-ranked recruiting class.
(UPDATED April 22, 2026 09:21 UTC)
John Blackwell is currently navigating the NBA draft process, represented by Todd Ramasar and Alexis Liatsos from Life Sports Agency. During the 2025 season, Blackwell showcased his skills by scoring over 30 points in five games for Wisconsin and averaging 44.1% shooting from the field. He recently announced his plans to enter the transfer portal April 6th, as Duke prepares for the loss of key players Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans to the NBA Draft.
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(UPDATED April 22, 2026 03:59 UTC)
John Blackwell has been named the top transfer acquisition of Jon Scheyer's tenure at Duke, where he is expected to join the starting lineup for a program projected to be in the top five for the upcoming season. Last season, Blackwell shot an impressive 86.3% from the free-throw line and averaged 26 points across three Big Ten tournament games, making him a valuable addition as Duke seeks to bolster its experience following an Elite Eight loss to UConn. In discussing his decision to transfer, Blackwell noted that Duke's strong track record of developing professional players was a significant factor in his choice.
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(UPDATED April 22, 2026 01:23 UTC)
John Blackwell has officially committed to Duke, with the announcement made on Tuesday. In discussing his decision, Blackwell shared that the pitch from the Life Sports Agency was all about freedom and the opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a draft pick. He expressed enthusiasm about joining a talented backcourt that features returning players Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer, along with five-star recruit Deron Rippey Jr.
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(UPDATED April 21, 2026 23:13 UTC)
John Blackwell, a 6-foot-4 guard from Wisconsin, has committed to Duke, announcing his decision on Tuesday, after visiting the campus the day before. Last season, Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors and ranking as the No. 3 transfer in The Athletic’s rankings, making him the best scoring guard available in the transfer portal this spring. He expressed that his decision felt right and aims to help Duke win a national championship while pursuing his dream of becoming a draft pick, as the team looks to bolster its roster with experienced players following their Elite Eight loss.