Duke scores biggest 2026 transfer portal win with John Blackwell news

John Blackwell. Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Duke scores biggest 2026 transfer portal win with John Blackwell news

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 6:54 PM ET

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer won't be running short on backcourt playmakers next season.

Former Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell told ESPN's Jeff Borzello Tuesday that he is committing to play for Duke during the 2026-27 season. Consider the addition of Blackwell the Blue Devils' best move of the offseason.

How John Blackwell could help Duke win national championship during 2026-27 season

247 Sports ranked Blackwell as the No. 1 remaining player in the transfer portal.

"Blackwell is a strong-bodied guard who made notable strides with his game in each of his three seasons at Wisconsin," wrote 247 Sports' Adam Finkelstein in his scouting report. "He's not an elite athlete at the rim and can struggle to finish at times, but compensates with his overall skill and intangibles as he's smart, competitive and tough."

Breaking: Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has committed to Duke, he told @jeffborzello.

Blackwell, who averaged 19.1 points and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, was one of the best guards to enter the portal this spring. pic.twitter.com/Grr10KIc3l
— ESPN (@espn) April 21, 2026

He also adds a needed scoring punch to Duke's backcourt. Guards Cayden Boozer (rising sophomore) and Caleb Foster (rising senior) are set to return next season, but neither is an elite bucket-getter. Boozer averaged 7.7 points per game last season, while Foster averaged 8.3 PPG. (Five-star recruit Deron Rippey Jr. is also joining the backcourt next season, but who knows if he'll be ready to assume a big role.) Blackwell, meanwhile, averaged 19.1 PPG, earning a third-team All-Big Ten selection.

"They have four PGs. I would consider myself a point guard," Blackwell told Borzello. "We're just going to push each other everyday. When you have a deep backcourt like we're going to have, it's going to be a matchup nightmare for teams. I'm just so excited to play with those guys and challenge those guys. And they challenge me every single day."

The deep group of guards could help Scheyer win his first title since taking over in 2022. As of Tuesday night, FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Blue Devils and the Florida Gators as preseason national title co-favorites (+700).

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: