CHICAGO – John Blackwell strolled into his interview session at the NBA draft combine rocking a crisp, new Duke T-shirt.
It’s still disconcerting to see the 6-foot-4 guard who spent three years with the Wisconsin men’s basketball team wearing the colors of one of the sport’s bluest blue bloods after picking the powerhouse school as his transfer destination while also getting feedback from NBA front offices about his draft prospects.
Blackwell even shakes his head at how crazy the last few months have been for him since UW was bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in March.
“It’s been crazy, if I’m being honest,” Blackwell said on May 13. “Like, you know, I haven’t really got the chance to, like, sit down and take it all in. You know, transfer portal and then taking visits and then coming here (to the draft combine). It’s just been a lot.
“But you know, I’m thankful for it all. I couldn’t ask for a better support staff around me, too. So just once I get to take it all in, I’ll really reflect on that, what it’s been like.”
John Blackwell getting support from Duke’s Jon Scheyer
Before getting into that whirlwind, Blackwell had to have tough conversations with UW coach Greg Gard about exploring all his options by going into the NCAA transfer portal.
At UW, Blackwell went from an unheralded recruit to averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game in the 2025-26 season.
“It was pretty difficult because they took a chance on me and I appreciate them that for that,” Blackwell said. “I appreciate them for giving me the opportunity.
“It was pretty hard telling them, but at the end of the day, I think it’s all love between us. Hopefully (Gard is) going to be able to come to my wedding one day and all those coaches are going to be able to come to my wedding and (I can) still be involved in their kids’ lives.
“And you know, I still have so much love for every person I’ve met, every person that I’ve encountered at Wisconsin. I reached out to all the people who’ve impacted my life while there. I tried to reach out to every person, man, from the trainers, from managers, from the assistant coaches, from head coach – Coach Gard, everyone who’s been involved. It’s been a blessing.”
From UW’s side, there appears to be no hard feelings.
“We can’t thank him enough for what he was able to do for us for these last three years,” UW basketball general manager Marc VandeWettering told the Journal Sentinel’s John Steppe in April. “He’ll be a Badger. He’ll be remembered as a Badger.”
Now Blackwell is leaning on Duke coach Jon Scheyer as he gets evaluated by NBA teams.
“He tells me to update him on how I did,” Blackwell said. “They always check in with me on how I’m doing.
“So they’ve been really supportive. Obviously Duke is a program that produces pros like no other. So they know how this process is.”
John Blackwell seen as likely heading back to college
Blackwell doesn’t pop up on mock drafts because he’s seen as likely pulling his name out and playing for the Blue Devils. In this era of name, image and likeness money in college, that is probably the best financial decision, especially going to a school like Duke.
“This will be a pretty good indicator this week,” Blackwell said. “I have a couple workouts this next week.
“Deadline is the 27th, so the answer will be pretty simple.”
A knock against Blackwell at the combine was his negative wing-span measurement of 6 feet 2 ¼ inches. He wasn’t sweating it, though.
“I’m not the tallest guy, but I’ve somehow made it work through every time I’ve been on the court,” Blackwell said. “So I’m just going to keep with that chip on my shoulder.
“I’ve only laughed at the things that were said on social media to call me ‘T-Rex Arms.’ ”
John Blackwell also went through draft process last year
Blackwell has been going through the draft process alongside his UW backcourt mate Nick Boyd.
“We FaceTime all the time,” Blackwell said. “He was trying to get a scoop on where I was going to school.”
Boyd has also been in Blackwell’s ear about the guard’s future.
“I say ‘Trust your gut,’ ” Boyd said. “Life is hard to be maybe one foot in and one foot out. Trust your gut and whatever you feel like is best for your career.”
Blackwell also declared for the draft last year before returning to UW.
If he chooses to return to college again, he’ll be playing in those Duke colors.
“If you do good, it only can improve your stock,” Blackwell said. “Playing those games you’re playing on some of the brightest lights.
“Duke is, I think, the biggest brand in the country for if we’re talking about basketball. For college basketball, they’re the biggest brand in the country. They’re playing on national television every single night. So I’ve been ready for it.
“And I’m excited, if I go back to school and play, playing those games.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: John Blackwell reflects on leaving UW while pondering future at Duke
Reporting by Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
