Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) reacts during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Wisconsin star guard John Blackwell plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal while also testing the NBA Draft waters this offseason, according to ESPN.
The 6-foot-4 junior is coming off a career-best season this year, where he averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest for the Badgers. Blackwell shot 43% from the field, but was one of the Big Ten’s deadliest outside scorers and finished fifth in the league with 96 made 3-pointers.
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He is also planning to go through the NBA Draft process this spring, but will be one of the most players in the portal regardless of position. A native of Highland Park, Michigan, he is not considered to be a surefire first-round pick and is not listed as a projected selection in the majority of major mock drafts as the college season comes to a close.
Blackwell’s decision is a major loss for the Badgers, who signed him out of high school in the Class of 2023 and helped develop him into one of the country’s best scoring guards. He played in 34 games as a true freshman, coming off the bench in all but one and averaging 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in just over 18 minutes per contest.
As a sophomore, he took a big leap in 2024-25 and was the team’s second-leading scorer behind All-American John Tonje at 15.8 PPG. His 3-point shooting dropped to a career-low 32% though, despite improving in nearly every other statistical category.
And this year, he got a chance to lead the show for Greg Gard and Co. Blackwell earned All-Big Ten honors, shot 39% from beyond the arc on more than seven attempts per game, and teamed up with San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd to form one of the nation’s best backcourts.
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He’ll now have one year of eligibility remaining if he opts to remain at the college level and forgo the NBA Draft for another year.
More about the NCAA Transfer Portal
The NCAA Transfer Portal will officially open on April 7 and close on April 21.
The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the men’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
