Wisconsin’s Blackwell to enter portal, test NBA draft process

Wisconsin star guard John Blackwell plans to enter the switch portal whereas going by way of the NBA draft process, he advised ESPN on Monday.

Blackwell, who earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, instantly turns into the most effective 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 faculty season for the Badgers in 2025-26. He averaged a career-high 19.1 factors, 5.1 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists, whereas capturing almost 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 event towards Washingtonfollowing it with 31 factors on 9-for-17 capturing in an time beyond regulation win over Illinois. While Wisconsin was upset by 12-seed High Point In the primary spherical of the NCAA event, Blackwell completed with 22 factors and 10 rebounds towards 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 will probably be in a position to present extra on-ball accountability, hopes to take visits and decide throughout the subsequent three-to-four weeks.

The males’s faculty basketball switch portal formally opens on Tuesday morning.