Duke Lands No. 3 Transfer John Blackwell From Wisconsin

Duke projects as a top-five program entering next season. Blackwell was the premier scoring guard available in the portal this spring. He connected on 38.9 percent of 7.3 three-point attempts per game, including 44.2 percent on catch-and-shoot opportunities. On January 10, he dropped 26 points with four three-pointers to hand eventual national champion Michigan its first defeat of the season. His arrival fits a deliberate organizational shift toward experience. Duke recently secured the returns of point guard Cayden Boozer and center Patrick Ngongba II, giving Scheyer multiple veteran pieces despite likely losing forward Cameron Boozer and wing Isaiah Evans to the NBA draft. Blackwell's postseason track record strengthens his case further. He posted 22 points and 10 rebounds in Wisconsin's first-round NCAA Tournament loss to High Point and averaged 26 points across three Big Ten tournament games. Beyond scoring, Blackwell brings reliability at the free-throw line, shooting 86.3 percent last season, and draws fouls at an elite rate, five per 40 minutes, ranking in the top 300 nationally per KenPom. Duke's incoming freshman class remains elite, featuring top-15 prospects Cam Williams, Deron Rippey Jr., and Bryson Howard. With multiple returning starters now joined by a seasoned transfer, the Blue Devils enter next season as a credible national championship contender.