After No. 5 Wisconsin was upset by No. 12 High Point on Thursday, players were quickly asked about their plans for next year. The landscape has changed so much that no player is considered safe to not move to another program, head to the NBA, or ultimately stick with the same school. John Blackwell tested the NBA waters last year but decided to sign on for another year as a Badger.
This year, he's not sure what's next. Blackwell told reporters after the game, "I don't know yet. After the loss, I don't know, but I'm just praying to God and hoping for the best situation." That seems to indicate that the door is wide open for any number of possibilities for Blackwell.
#Badgers guard John Blackwell also asked about his future: "I don't know yet. After the loss, I don't know. But just praying to God and hope for the best situation."
— Michael McCleary (@MikeJMcCleary) March 20, 2026
He entered the NBA Draft process last offseason, returning to Wisconsin despite more lucrative offers.
John Blackwell may test both the transfer portal and the NBA Draft
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Blackwell received feedback from the NBA in the offseason last year and had areas he was set to improve this year to jump into the 2026 draft. Did he do enough? is going to be the question. He admits that this year didn't go as planned, and he had to battle all season.
Blackwell didn't close the door on returning to Wisconsin and actually seemed to lean that way with how much he praised the team for being there for him this season. "[This team] meant everything to me. Honestly, this is one of the hardest years of my life mentally...My coaches and everybody looked out for me, I can't be more thankful for them."
Blackwell will be a key to Wisconsin's offseason plans, and while he may not be ready for the NBA yet, he will most likely test the waters and explore what that looks like. There will also be other college programs that will hope to get him to transfer to their program if Blackwell entertains that option.
Wisconsin head coach was able to get both Nolan Winter and John Blackwell to recommit last offseason and that will once again be his primary task this offseason.