Duke lands John Blackwell, top guard in transfer portal

Key Points:

• Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has committed to Duke after visiting the campus and connecting with coach Jon Scheyer, citing the opportunity to develop as a player and compete for a national championship as key factors.
• Blackwell, a 6-foot-4 guard and third-team All-Big Ten honoree, averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season, showcasing strong postseason performances including a 34-point game in the Big Ten tournament.
• Joining Duke's backcourt alongside Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer, and five-star recruit Deron Rippey Jr., Blackwell aims to take on more on-ball responsibility and contribute to a deep, versatile guard rotation.
• Duke is reloading its roster after recent departures of key players but bolstered by the return of Patrick Ngongba II and a top-ranked recruiting class, with Blackwell viewed as a crucial experienced scorer to lead the offense.
• Blackwell emphasized Duke's strong player development track record as a major reason for his commitment, highlighting his goal to become an NBA draft pick while helping Duke contend for championships.