John Blackwell has officially begun testing the NBA Draft waters after declaring last month, all while maintaining his college eligibility in case he decides to return to Wisconsin. Though he wasn’t selected for the prestigious NBA Draft Combine, Blackwell recently received and accepted his first invitation to a pre-draft workout — with the Portland Trail Blazers. He worked out alongside five other prospects on Tuesday, marking a pivotal early step in his professional evaluation process.
Coming off a strong sophomore campaign, Blackwell posted 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for the Badgers, establishing himself as one of the team’s key offensive contributors. His name began to draw some interest nationally, and while he remains a long shot to get drafted in 2025, invitations like Portland’s give him crucial exposure and a chance to receive feedback from NBA decision-makers.
Unlike fellow Badgers standout John Tonje — who also declared and is projected as a mid-second round pick — Blackwell didn’t get the nod to attend the combine, which significantly limits his draft stock this year. However, the experience he’s gaining through team workouts could be invaluable, especially if he ultimately chooses to return to Madison and further develop for another season.
If Blackwell does leave for the NBA, it would deal a significant blow to a Wisconsin program already facing major turnover. The team has lost much of last year’s roster, and without Blackwell, only one starter — Nolan Winter — would be returning. Head coach Greg Gard would be forced to retool on the fly, potentially through the transfer portal, to make up for Blackwell’s production and leadership.
For now, the most likely and hopeful scenario is that Blackwell uses these workouts to get facetime with NBA scouts and returns to college with renewed insight, refined skills, and an elevated leadership role for a potential breakout junior season. While Tonje’s NBA future appears more imminent, Blackwell seems poised to use this process as a stepping stone for long-term growth.
Leave a Reply