John Blackwell declared for the NBA Draft last month, but will maintain his college eligibility for a return to Wisconsin if things don't pan out. While he didn't get invited to the NBA combine, earlier this week, he received his first invitation for a pre-draft workout from a team out west.
Blackwell participated in an NBA pre-draft workout with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday along with five other NBA hopefuls.
Blackwell takes first step towards NBA Draft goal
As a sophomore, Blackwell averaged 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Badgers. The workout with Portland was his first public invite and opportunity to improve his stock. Blackwell declared for the draft along with Badgers' star John Tonje, but unlike Tonje, did not receive an invitation to the NBA combine. So while Blackwell's NBA hopes are slim for 2025, meeting with teams and getting feedback will be invaluable when his time inevitably comes.
If the Badgers were to somehow lose Blackwell to the NBA, it would be a crushing blow to a team that has already lost the majority of their roster from last season. If Blackwell did make the NBA this year, it would mean Wisconsin would only return one starter from last season's squad in Nolan Winter. The odds are low that it happens, but Greg Gard would have to pivot and try to replace Blackwell's huge production.
Hopefully the outcome with these workouts is for Blackwell to get some facetime with NBA scouts and coaches, and take their feedback home to Wisconsin for a 2025 run. Tonje on the other hand, is currently projected as a mid-second round draft pick, and will very likely hear his name called on draft night.