John Blackwell Reportedly Set for Duke Transfer After Withdrawing from 2026 NBA Draft

Wisconsin transfer guard John Blackwell is reportedly locking in his decision to join Duke rather than the NBA.

Blackwell is withdrawing from the 2026 NBA draft in order to finalize his transfer to Duke, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Friday.

Blackwell told ESPN's Jeff Borzello in April he had committed to Duke.

He is ranked by 247Sports as the top guard to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

Blackwell had originally told Borzello he planned to both enter the transfer portal and go through the NBA draft process.

The guard averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals through 34 games of his junior season with Wisconsin to help the Badgers qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

He particularly impressed in the postseason, posting back-to-back 30-point performances in the Big Ten Tournament to help Wisconsin reach the semifinal.

Blackwell then participated in the scouting combine, where his projected draft stock took a hit after he measured in with a barefoot height of 6'3 1/4" and a wingspan of 6'2 1/4".

That marked the shortest wingspan of any player measured at the scouting combine.

According to a survey of NBA executives by Field of 68's Jeff Goodman, all 10 executives polled said they felt Blackwell should return to college rather than try to enter the 2026 draft.

Blackwell can now look to prove to scouts he can succeed despite those measurements as he potentially steps into the starting lineup at Duke.

He will be joining a backcourt led by Caleb Foster, who is returning for his senior season at Duke, and Cayden Boozer, who will be back for his sophomore season as his twin Cameron Boozer enters the draft.

Blackwell has until May 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET to officially withdraw from the draft process in order to maintain NCAA eligibility. Other players who have yet to make the decision include Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. and Kentucky's Malachi Moreno.