Wisconsin G John Blackwell to test portal, NBA draft interest

Field Level Media|published: Mon 6th April, 12:37 2026

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-High Point at Wisconsin

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is entering the transfer portal with plans to gauge interest during the NBA draft process.

Blackwell told ESPN on Monday that he made the decision based on his desire to compete for a national championship.

Blackwell, a shooting guard with the Badgers, had 20-plus points in 16 of Wisconsin's 35 total games this season. He has played a total of 105 games in his three college seasons in Madison.

He averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He scored 34 points against Washington in the third round of the Big Ten tournament and 31 in Wisconsin's quarterfinals victory over Illinois.

On the season, he shot 38.9% from 3-point range. He is from Bloomfield, Mich., and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has excessively praised Blackwell before and after their recent matchups. Blackwell would also be a fit in Ann Arbor with Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan as the Wolverines enter the 2026 national title game.

"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 said. "A place where that's the standard and what we're striving for."

ESPN reported Blackwell plans to participate in pre-draft camps to test his value to NBA teams before his final decision on a new direction is made at the end of the month.

--Field Level Media