Duke has landed John Blackwell, a 6-foot-4 guard and the No. 3-ranked transfer in the portal, according to sources confirmed by Zagsblog; Blackwell, who played for Wisconsin, will join Jon Scheyer’s program after earning third-team All-Big Ten honors this past season. Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season, shooting nearly 39% from 3-point range.

Blackwell’s Performance and Commitment

Blackwell had a standout postseason for Wisconsin, including a 34-point, 10-rebound performance in the Big Ten tournament against Washington. He followed it with 31 points in an overtime win over Illinois. Despite being upset in the NCAA tournament, Blackwell still managed 22 points and 10 rebounds against High Point. He said his decision to join Duke was influenced by the connection he made with Coach Jon Scheyer.

“It just felt right,” Blackwell told ESPN. “It felt like the right situation for me. I just connected with Coach Scheyer on a different level. We built a connection in these past weeks of just talking to him and him selling why Duke is the right spot for me. Me taking this visit was just confirmation on why I should be at Duke.”

Future Prospects and Team Fit

Blackwell, who is represented by Todd Ramasar and Alexis Liatsos at Life Sports Agency, will have the opportunity to carry that momentum over to Duke. “Their pitch to me was, come here, have freedom,” he said. “You can come here and be a draft pick, and that’s always my dream. Come here and help us win a national championship. Those are just things I love to hear. I love the campus, I love the people surrounding Duke. That’s why I made my choice to be a Blue Devil.”

Blackwell is still in the NBA draft process, but he’s joining a backcourt that includes returnees Caleb Grow (8.3 PPG) and Cayden Boozer (7.7 PPG), as well as five-star recruit Deron Rippey Jr. When he entered the portal, Blackwell stated he wanted to show more on-ball responsibility, meaning Scheyer will have several options as playmakers next season.

Recruiting Context and Team Additions

Blackwell’s commitment comes as Duke continues to build its roster for the upcoming season. Freshman guard Cayden Boozer and sophomore center Patrick Ngongba have already announced their return, while the team also added Belmont forward Drew Scharnowski. Blackwell was also courted by other programs, including Illinois, Alabama, Arizona, UCLA, and Louisville, according to Zagsblog.

His arrival marks a significant addition to Duke’s backcourt and highlights the team’s appeal to top-tier transfers. With his scoring ability and leadership potential, Blackwell could play a key role in Duke’s pursuit of another national championship.