Duke Commit Blackwell Shows off Scoring at NBA Combine

The Duke basketball program is hoping it isn’t in a similar situation this offseason as it was a year ago around this time.

Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff sealed a commitment from Washington State transfer guard Cedric Coward, one of the top guards in the entire portal. He was set to be a key scoring piece in the Blue Devils’ backcourt in 2025-26.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer shoots a ball during a practice session ahead of the east regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

After Coward committed to Duke, he made it clear his focus remained on the 2025 NBA Draft. The guard went through the NBA Combine and pre-draft process, ultimately electing to remain in the draft and bypass his final season of college basketball.

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Coward went on to be selected in the lottery by the Memphis Grizzlies and put together a solid rookie season in the NBA.

Scheyer and Co. are hoping they can avoid a similar situation this time around.

John Blackwell Impresses at NBA Combine

Former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is the clear headliner of the Blue Devils’ offseason recruiting class. The No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports, established himself as one of the best scorers in all of college basketball last season.

As a junior with the Badgers, the 6’4″ guard averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals a night on 43.0% shooting from the field and 38.9% from three-point range on 7.3 attempts. Blackwell notched 15 games of over 20 points or more last season and five of 30 or more, including two straight in the Big Ten Tournament.

Mar 18, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) runs a drill during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Blackwell has the…

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Publish date : 2026-05-15 10:00:00

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