Duke Listed as a Final Two Team for Wisconsin Transfer
The Duke Blue Devils aren’t widely recognized as an active school in the transfer portal, but that may change this summer. According to 247Sports’ Travis Branham, the ACC Champions are one of two final teams for Wisconsin prospect John Blackwell.
Blackwell’s other team that’s in his final two is Illinois. The Fighting Illini, led by head coach Brad Underwood, advanced all the way to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament as a three-seed before getting put out by UConn.
Blackwell, who will be a senior next season, is coming off the best season of his college career despite getting upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by High Point. He officially announced on Monday that he would be entering the transfer portal, and the 21-year-old is making quick work of the process.
He will also be going through the NBA draft process.
Who is John Blackwell?
Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has developed into one of the Badgers’ top players at the turn of the new decade. Coming into the program in 2023-24, Blackwell began as a role player. While coming off the bench for the majority of his freshman year, he averaged 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while having consistent shooting splits of 44.6/45.5/82.1.
Blackwell exploded in his sophomore season as a full-time starter, helping lead the Badgers to an NCAA Tournament bid as a five-seed. His 2024-25 numbers include 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 another step up, being Wisconsin’s second-leading scorer behind guard Nick Boyd. In 34 games, John Blackwell put up 19.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists with 43.0/38.9/85.9 shooting splits. He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors.
In his third college basketball season, Blackwell’s best performances came in the postseason of 2025-26. In the third round of the Big Ten tournament, he posted a double-double with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 14-for-24 from the field in a win over Washington.
The very next day in the Big Ten quarterfinal, Blackwell led the Badgers to a 91-88 overtime victory over Illinois, finishing with 31 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 9-for-17.
247Sports has John Blackwell listed as the No. 2 transfer portal prospect behind Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga.
Who is the Favorite for John Blackwell?
Duke may be looking for a wing replacement, as Isaiah Evans could enter the 2026 NBA Draft. John Blackwell would be the perfect fit. The Blue Devils will also be losing freshman forward Nikolas Khamenia, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week.
The Blue Devils’ competition, Illinois, is seeking replacements for guards Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell. Wagler, a freshman in 2025-26, led the Fighting Illini in points per game (17.9). He is expected to enter the 2026 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Boswell is no longer eligible for college.
It’s also worth noting that John Blackwell’s father, Glynn Blackwell, played for Illinois from 1984 to 1988. This will be a playing factor in the top transfer prospect’s decision.
“I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship,” Blackwell told ESPN. “A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.
It will be an interesting battle between two of college basketball’s most successful teams in the 2025-26 season. John Blackwell’s decision is expected to be made
