Wisconsin basketball received major roster news on Wednesday: Rising junior guard John Blackwell withdrew from the NBA draft and returned to the program.
Blackwell had declared for the draft while maintaining his eligibility and noted that if he were to return to college, it would be to Wisconsin. He did not crack any two-round mock draft projection over the last two months, signalling his place outside of the draft’s top 60 prospects. That made the star guard’s return a likely outcome throughout the pre-draft process.
With that decision made, Wisconsin can finalize a 2025-26 team that projects as one of the Big Ten’s best. Blackwell will be that team’s lead option with All-American wing John Tonje off to the NBA.
The 2025 Big Ten honorable mention guard averaged 31.2 minutes, 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a sophomore in 2024-25, while shooting 45% from the field and 32% from 3-point range. That production gave a glimpse of an NBA-level ceiling with further development. While he was not invited to the NBA combine or G League Elite Camp, his predraft process likely highlighted areas for improvement during the upcoming college season. A further breakthrough as the Badgers’ top option will cement his status as a 2026 draft prospect.
Blackwell’s return is pivotal to Wisconsin basketball’s chances in 2025-26. Here is the team’s updated starting lineup and rotation projection with his return now finalized.
Wisconsin Basketball Updated 2025-26 Starting Lineup Projection
Wisconsin’s projected starting lineup is finalized after Blackwell’s decision. The unit projects as one of the best in the Big Ten with two potential all-conference players, Blackwell and Winter, and three high-impact transfers.
Among those transfers, Nick Boyd is a key player to watch entering the year, as he jumps to the Big Ten level after a strong multi-year run at Florida Atlantic (2020-24) and San Diego State (2024-25). Wisconsin beat several high-major programs for his transfer commitment. He joins the program with significant NCAA Tournament experience, having helped lead FAU to the Final Four in 2023.
Wisconsin’s Projected 2025-26 Bench/Reserves
Wisconsin is still somewhat thin in the frontcourt. Bieliauskas will be tasked with a major role immediately. An inexperienced sophomore, Riccardo Greppi, and a true freshman, Will Garlock, are the only other depth options at the position.
Meanwhile, the team is loaded in the backcourt. Janicki and veteran transfer Carrington are the rotation’s sixth and seventh players, respectively. Incoming freshmen Kinziger and Jones are promising prospects to watch.
Look out, the 2025-26 Badgers could be one of the better teams of the Greg Gard era.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball updated roster, projected lineup with John Blackwell’s return
Reporting by Ben Kenney, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
