Wisconsin's John Blackwell Is Hitting the Portal, and He's Already the Guard Everyone Wants

John Blackwell just announced he's entering the transfer portal while testing the NBA draft process, and college basketball fans should pay attention. The Wisconsin guard told ESPN on Monday that he's looking for a program where he can develop for the next level while competing for a national championship. That's the kind of talent that's about to have serious suitors.

A Breakout Season That Changed Everything

Blackwell had his best college year in 2025-26, and the numbers tell the story. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting nearly 39 percent from 3-point range. Third-team All-Big Ten honors followed, but the postseason is where he really showed out.

In the Big Ten tournament, Blackwell dropped 34 points and 10 boards against Washington in the third round, then backed it up with 31 points on 9-for-17 shooting in an overtime victory over Illinois. Even after Wisconsin got upset by 12-seed High Point in the NCAA tournament's first round, Blackwell finished strong with 22 points and 10 rebounds against the Panthers.

What He's Working On, and What He Wants

Blackwell knows his weaknesses and he's being honest about them. "I improved my mental focus. And off-the-dribble shooting, I think I got better in that aspect," he said. "Steps I need to take moving forward, being a better defender, being able to handle the ball more at the point guard position."

He wants a landing spot where he can take on more on-ball responsibility, and he's not messing around with the timeline. Blackwell plans to take visits and make a decision within the next three-to-four weeks. The transfer portal officially opens Tuesday morning, so the clock is ticking for every program that wants a shot at him.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.