John Blackwell has chosen to delay his NBA plans for at least a year, withdrawing from the draft and announcing on Instagram that he will spend his senior season at Duke after transferring from Wisconsin.
The 6-foot-3 guard, who averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season while shooting 39% from three, becomes a major addition to a Duke team expected to compete for a national title.
Already a highly sought-after transfer, Blackwell strengthens a deep Blue Devils backcourt that includes returning players Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer, along with incoming freshmen Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.
His decision comes after participating in the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where he received feedback from scouts before ultimately opting to return to college basketball development.
Blackwell’s addition helps offset roster turnover for Duke, which saw key players declare for the 2026 NBA Draft and others depart via the transfer portal.
