College basketball: Blackwell joins Duke, leads transfer class

The conflict in this transfer cycle centers on the ability of incoming players to convert talent into immediate wins. John Blackwell represents the most direct path to that goal for Duke. The former Wisconsin guard entered the portal and signed with the second-ranked Blue Devils, a move that AP panelists ranked as the top transfer acquisition of the season.

Blackwell’s decision hinged on a specific communication from Duke head coach Jon Scheyer. The Wisconsin guard described the interaction as candid. "He just kept it real," Blackwell told reporters. "He didn’t sugarcoat. He said we’re going to push you every single day. That’s what it’s been." This direct approach aligned with Blackwell’s desire for a rigorous daily environment to finish his college career on a high note.

The guard arrives with substantial statistical history. In three seasons at Wisconsin, he scored 1,505 points, placing him 11th on the Badgers' career scoring list. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 19.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while helping Wisconsin finish 24-11. That campaign ended with an 83-82 loss to High Point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Duke has already integrated Blackwell into its offensive structure. Scheyer noted that Blackwell is a proven scorer who does not require the ball to influence games. "He’s a proven scorer who’s been in those moments, also understands he doesn’t need to the ball to always impact winning," Scheyer told reporters. A media panel named him a first-team preseason all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, and he finished second to Virginia forward Thijs De Ridder in voting for ACC preseason player of the year.

On the court, Blackwell has generated high-scoring outputs in Duke’s recent games. He posted 23 points in a 90-84 win over No. 17 Kansas. He followed that performance with 18 points in a 103-64 victory over No. 8 Tennessee. These results demonstrate his capacity to produce against ranked opponents in the early part of the season.

Other transfers are also positioning themselves for immediate impact. Flory Bidunga moved from Kansas to Louisville, where he was a preseason first-team all-ACC selection. Juke Harris joined Tennessee from Wake Forest after averaging 21.4 points per game in 2025-26. Mila Momcilovic transferred from Iowa State to Kentucky, bringing a .487 three-point percentage from his final year in the Big 12.

Additional notable moves include Paulius Murauskas, who went from Saint Mary’s to Arizona State, and Dedan Thomas Jr., who shifted from LSU to Houston. Tounde Yessoufou joined St. John’s from Baylor after setting a freshman scoring record at his previous program. These athletes collectively form a group of players expected to contribute significantly to their new teams in the coming weeks.