Blackwell named to Wooden Top-50 Watchlist
November 17, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Junior guard collects fourth early-season honor
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin men's basketball junior John Blackwell has been named to the 2025-26 John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Watch List, as announced on Tuesday.
It's Blackwell's fourth major honor of the young season, accompanying his Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Watchlist, Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Watch List and the Preseason All-Big Ten team.
He is one-of-50 players named to the College Player of the Year Watchlist, and one-of-12 from the Big Ten.Â
A native of Michigan, Blackwell has averaged 19.5 points through four games this season, adding 5.3 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. He was one-point shy of his career high in the season-opener against Campbell, dropping 31 points on 10-of-19 shooting. He notched 24 points in Monday's win over SIUE thanks to five three-pointers, adding a season-high 6 rebounds. His 78 total points this year are the sixth-most for a Badger to start the season since 1990-00.Â
He ranked second on the Badgers last year in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game en route to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He was also named to the Big Ten's All-Tournament team, posting 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds while leading UW to the Big Ten championship game. He tallied eight games with over 20 points last season, aiding Bucky to a 6-2 record in those contests.Â
Blackwell is no stranger to recognition, dating all the way back to his freshman campaign in 2023-24. He put up 8 points per game, becoming the third-consecutive Badger to earn Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors, joining Chucky Hepburn (2022) and Connor Essegian (2023).
Blackwell and the Badgers look to improve to 5-0 on Friday with a matchup against No. 9 BYU in Salt Lake City. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on Peacock.Â
