Duke Adds Veteran Scorer John Blackwell

Duke University basketball coach Jon Scheyer has added John Blackwell, a 6-foot-5 guard formerly of the University of Wisconsin, to his roster. Blackwell enters the 2026-27 season as a first-team preseason all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. He finished second in voting for the ACC preseason player of the year, behind Virginia forward Thijs De Ridder.

Blackwell entered the transfer portal after concluding his career at Wisconsin. He played three seasons for the Badgers, accumulating 1,505 points. That total places him 11th on the Wisconsin career scoring list. In his final season there, he averaged 19.1 points and 5.1 rebounds. Wisconsin finished that campaign with a 24-11 record before losing 83-82 to High Point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Scheyer told reporters that Blackwell is a proven scorer who understands he does not need the ball to impact the outcome of a game. The coach also noted that he communicated a direct message to Blackwell during the recruitment process. Scheyer said he did not sugarcoat the expectations, telling the player that the program would push him every single day. Blackwell confirmed this approach in his own words, stating that Scheyer kept it real with him.

Blackwell has already demonstrated his scoring ability in Duke’s early games. He scored 23 points in a 90-84 victory over No. 17 Kansas. He added 18 points in a 103-64 win against No. 8 Tennessee. These performances align with his reputation as a player who thrives in high-pressure moments.

Blackwell is one of several notable transfers who have joined college programs this offseason. Louisville forward Flory Bidunga arrived from Kansas, where he recorded 145 blocks over two seasons. Tennessee guard Juke Harris comes from Wake Forest, where he averaged 21.4 points per game last season. Kentucky forward Mila Momcilovic transferred from Iowa State, where he led all Division I players in 3-point baskets with 136 made attempts.

Other players moving to new conferences include Arizona State forward Paulius Murauskas, who comes from Saint Mary’s. He was selected as the Big 12 preseason newcomer of the year. Houston guard Dedan Thomas Jr. joins the Cougars from LSU, where he averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists in 16 games before an injury ended his season. St. John’s guard Tounde Yessoufou arrived from Baylor, where he set a freshman scoring record with 605 points.

The Duke Blue Devils are currently ranked second in the national polls. The team will continue its schedule against conference opponents in the coming weeks. Blackwell will serve as a key offensive option for Scheyer’s squad. His experience in the NCAA Tournament and his scoring efficiency in the preseason provide a foundation for the team’s postseason goals.