Who is John Blackwell and why was he honored by the Wisconsin Badgers?

John Blackwell, a junior guard for the Wisconsin Badgers, was honored for scoring his 1,000th career point, making him the 51st player in program history to reach this milestone.

What makes John Blackwell's basketball career unique?

Blackwell was heavily underrecruited out of high school, with Wisconsin being his only high-major offer, yet he has developed into a star player with NBA aspirations.

How has John Blackwell progressed as a player for Wisconsin?

Blackwell has consistently improved since his freshman year, focusing on defense and ball control, and has now achieved multiple 30-point games and climbed the all-time scoring list.

Home / Sports / Blackwell's 1K Points: From Underrated to NBA Bound

Blackwell's 1K Points: From Underrated to NBA Bound

7 Dec, 2025

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Summary

John Blackwell honored for reaching 1,000 career points with the Badgers.
Blackwell has NBA aspirations, with one coach comparing him to current players.
Initially underrecruited, Blackwell developed into a standout player for Wisconsin.

Blackwell's 1K Points: From Underrated to NBA Bound

Wisconsin junior guard John Blackwell was recently honored at a sold-out Kohl Center for surpassing 1,000 career points with the Badgers, marking him as the 51st player in program history to achieve this feat. This significant accomplishment came during a recent game where Blackwell scored 26 points, contributing to his remarkable season.

Blackwell's journey to this milestone is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Initially overlooked by many college programs, Wisconsin was the sole high-major school to recruit him. Despite not expecting to be an immediate star, Blackwell focused on earning playing time through strong defense and ball control, gradually developing his skills to become a key player.

His impressive performance has garnered attention beyond collegiate play, with Marquette head coach Shaka Smart comparing Blackwell to current NBA players and suggesting he possesses legitimate NBA aspirations. This praise underscores Blackwell's transformation from an underappreciated talent to a bona fide star with a promising future.