John Blackwell’s Shocking Decision to Join Duke Sends Waves Through College Basketball!

It’s official: Wisconsin Badgers transfer guard John Blackwell is heading to the Duke Blue Devils for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.

Blackwell, ranked as one of the top players in the transfer portal, had been strongly linked to Duke, among other schools, since the portal opened, and had taken a visit to Durham this week before his decision. Other schools involved in Blackwell’s recruitment included the UCLA Bruins, Louisville Cardinals, and Illinois Fighting Illini.

As a junior at Wisconsin, Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while seeing his three-point shooting improve to 38.9 percent on 7.3 attempts per game.

The Blue Devils were in need of a scoring guard following the expected departure of Isaiah Evans, who seems primed for the 2026 NBA Draft. Blackwell fits that hole as an experienced three-level scorer who immediately cements Duke as a contender for next year.

Heading into the offseason, it seemed unlikely that Wisconsin was going to be able to retain its entire core, especially after it became evident that many other schools were seeing their budgets grow across the country.

Just ahead of the transfer portal opening, Blackwell announced his decision to enter, and many top schools immediately showed interest.

Now, for his final season of college basketball, he’ll be a Blue Devil.