{"id":714883,"date":"2026-04-21T00:03:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T00:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714883\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T00:03:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T00:03:23","slug":"top-shelf-transfer-shows-off-duke-basketball-jersey-during-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714883\/","title":{"rendered":"Top-Shelf Transfer Shows Off Duke Basketball Jersey During Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Less than 24 hours after landing their first transfer pledge<\/a> this cycle in Belmont Bruins redshirt sophomore forward Drew Scharnowski, fifth-year head coach Jon Scheyer and his Duke basketball staff hosted one of the top remaining undecided players in the portal, Wisconsin Badgers junior guard John Blackwell, on Monday.<\/p>\n

And on Monday evening, Blackwell posted to his Instagram Story the following photo of himself wearing a Blue Devil jersey while on his official visit in Durham:<\/p>\n

John Blackwell’s Instagram Story\ud83d\ude08\ud83c\udfc0\ud83d\udc40\u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/2BMCLIEGsH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Giles (@MattGilesBD) April 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Early last week, Blackwell announced six finalists for his coveted services as a versatile backcourt bucket-getter: the Duke Blue Devils, Alabama Crimson Tide, Arizona Wildcats, Illinois Fighting Illini, Louisville Cardinals, and UCLA Bruins. Plus, the 6-foot-4, 203-pound sharpshooter, who is also still testing the NBA Draft waters, set a May 4 decision date.<\/p>\n

Now, though, it looks as though three primary contenders have emerged in the high-profile transfer sweepstakes: Duke, Louisville, and UCLA. The 21-year-old Blackwell previously visited UCLA and is expected to check out Louisville in person later this week.<\/p>\n

Duke Basketball Transfer Target John Blackwell Fresh Off All-Big Ten Campaign<\/p>\n

As a junior and full-time starter this past season, Blackwell averaged a career-high 19.1 points to go along with his 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for a Wisconsin squad that finished 24-11 overall, fifth in the Big Ten standings, and No. 25 in the final AP Top 25 Poll.<\/p>\n

He shot 43.0 percent from the field, 38.9 percent beyond the arc (on 7.3 attempts from three per game), and 85.9 percent at the charity stripe en route to earning All-Big Ten Third Team and All-Big Ten Tournament Team honors.<\/p>\n

Wherever Blackwell ends up, assuming he withdraws his name from the NBA Draft to remain in the college ranks, he’ll have one year of eligibility remaining.<\/p>\n

Despite being a mere three-star recruit when he arrived at Wisconsin out of Brother Rice High School (Mich.) ahead of the 2023-24 season, Blackwell now boasts a five-star rating as a transfer. According to 247Sports, he currently ranks No. 3 overall<\/a> and No. 1 among shooting guards in the portal.<\/p>\n

\"Duke<\/p>\n

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) reacts during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Duke basketball has compiled a four-deep class on the 2026 recruiting trail. Meanwhile, in addition to the program welcoming Scharnowski to The Brotherhood, two 2025-26 Blue Devils have already officially announced their plans to return to Durham next season: junior-to-be big man Patrick Ngongba II and rising sophomore guard Cayden Boozer.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned to\u00a0Duke Blue Devils On SI<\/a>\u00a0for more Duke basketball news.<\/p>\n

As always, make sure you stay up to date with all Duke content by following us on Facebook, by clicking\u00a0HERE<\/a>, and following us on X (formerly Twitter)\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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