Duke Gains Momentum in Pursuit of Star Transfer John Blackwell
Duke’s offseason activity has picked up rapidly after a relatively slow start to the transfer portal period.
Following a quiet opening stretch, things shifted over the weekend when freshman guard Cayden Boozer announced he would return for his sophomore season. Momentum continued Monday with sophomore center Patrick Ngongba confirming he’ll also be back for the 2026–27 campaign, giving head coach Jon Scheyer two key returning pieces.
While several roster decisions are still pending—such as those involving Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr, and Caleb Foster—Duke is now in a strong position to land one of the top players available in the portal.
Blue Devils Trending for John Blackwell
Duke recently received a crystal ball prediction in its favor for Wisconsin transfer guard John Blackwell, who ranks as the No. 3 overall player in the portal according to 247Sports. If the Blue Devils secure his commitment, it would significantly boost their case as a potential preseason No. 1 team.
Blackwell is coming off an outstanding junior season, emerging as one of college basketball’s premier scorers. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and nearly 39% from three on high volume. He surpassed 25 points in 15 games and topped 30 points five times.
Potential Impact on Duke’s Roster
After entering the portal, Blackwell drew interest from several major programs, including Illinois, Alabama, Arizona, UCLA, and St. John’s. He reportedly plans to take two visits before making a decision on May 4, with Duke already hosting him.
If he joins the Blue Devils, Blackwell would bring a reliable scoring punch on the perimeter—something Duke lacked at times last season. While Evans showed strong shooting ability, he did not consistently serve as a primary scoring option in the way Blackwell has proven capable of doing.
His potential addition would also create an intriguing backcourt dynamic. With Boozer returning, Foster expected to be back, and five-star freshman Deron Rippey Jr. arriving, Duke could feature a deep and talented guard rotation.
Although nothing is finalized yet, the latest developments signal a major step forward for Duke as it continues shaping its roster for the 2026–27 season.
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