Jeff Borzello
Multiple Authors
Wisconsin star guard John Blackwell plans to enter the switch portal whereas going by means of the NBA draft process, he informed ESPN on Monday.
Blackwell, who earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, instantly turns into the very best guard to announce his portal intentions.
“It’s a tough decision,” Blackwell mentioned. “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. A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.”
A 6-foot-4 guard, Blackwell loved his greatest school season for the Badgers in 2025-26. He averaged a career-high 19.1 factors, 5.1 rebounds and a couple of.3 assists, whereas taking pictures practically 39% from 3-point vary.
Blackwell was excellent within the postseason. He had 34 factors and 10 rebounds within the third spherical of the Big Ten match in opposition to Washington, following it with 31 factors on 9-for-17 taking pictures in an time beyond regulation win over Illinois. While Wisconsin was upset by 12-seed High Point within the first spherical of the NCAA match, Blackwell completed with 22 factors and 10 rebounds in opposition to the Panthers.
“I improved my mental focus. And off-the-dribble shooting, I think I got better in that aspect,” he mentioned. “Steps I need to take moving forward, being a better defender, being able to handle the ball more at the point guard position.”
Blackwell, who mentioned he desires to go to a college the place he shall be ready to present extra on-ball duty, hopes to take visits and decide throughout the subsequent three-to-four weeks.
The males’s school basketball switch portal formally opens on Tuesday morning.
