John Blackwell recently announced he is entering the transfer portal after three seasons at Wisconsin. The incoming senior also said he will test the NBA Draft waters to receive feedback on his draft stock.
Blackwell, who earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after a breakout 2025-26 season, made it clear he prefers a program with a strong chance to compete for the national championship next season. With that in mind, here are four schools the 6’4″ guard should consider while in the transfer portal.
Best Transfer Portal Destinations for John Blackwell
Michigan Wolverines
Blackwell, who grew up less than an hour from the Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, could return to his home state to help Wolverines head coach Dusty May improve the team’s chances of winning back-to-back national championships next season.
May has proven that a program can win the title with a core of transfers, which could strongly entice the guard to consider the school his next destination.
Blackwell will also have a great opportunity to maximize his scoring with the Wolverines, since Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. have already exhausted their collegiate eligibility.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Blackwell is a proven scorer capable of carrying the team and attacking from anywhere on the court, inside or out. Meanwhile, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is considering Keaton Wagler’s potential departure to enter the 2026 NBA Draft after an excellent season in Champaign.
SEE ALSO: College Basketball 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker: Complete List of Players Who Are Available
Securing Blackwell’s commitment, with or without Wagler next season, would be a win-win for Illinois, as the 6’4″ guard has proven his dependability on offense.
His hunger for a national title might also help Underwood’s men persevere even more. In two games against Illinois this past season, Blackwell averaged 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Arkansas Razorbacks
John Calipari may be looking at Blackwell as someone he could maximize his scoring potential, despite having him signed for only one season. Calipari has successfully coached one-and-done players and rentals who aim to play in the NBA after the NCAA season ends.
With the team expected to lose potential NBA draft lottery picks Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, and with DJ Wagner announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal, Blackwell is someone Calipari must pursue to add firepower to the Razorbacks for the 2026-27 season.
Indiana Hoosiers
Blackwell can immediately be a star in Indiana, as the team needs an offensive specialist to fill the void left by Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries next season. Wilkerson and DeVries are out of eligibility, so it is possible they could sign the Wisconsin guard to a favorable NIL deal.
Other Indiana seniors, including Sam Alexis, Tayton Conerway, Conor Enright, and Reed Bailey, also exhausted their college eligibility this past season, leaving significant NIL space for Indiana to build a team around Blackwell for the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season.
