The news broke earlier today that standout junior guard John Blackwell has officially withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to Wisconsin for another season. While many expected this decision, it still brought a collective sigh of relief from Badger fans. Blackwell’s return is crucial—without him, next season’s aspirations would have taken a serious hit.
One of the first to react publicly was his teammate Nolan Winter, a key figure in the Badgers’ plans for the 2025–2026 season. He shared a brief but meaningful message on X that’s sure to fire up Wisconsin supporters.
Nolan Winter to John Blackwell: “Let’s do it, brother!”
After news broke that John Blackwell will return to Wisconsin for another season, teammate Nolan Winter quickly shared his excitement. Quoting Jon Rothstein’s social media post, Winter wrote, “Let’s do it, brother!”—a simple but powerful message that highlights their bond and shared vision for the future. The two have often spoken about building a legacy at Wisconsin, and that journey continues this season.
Both players are expected to take on significantly larger roles in 2025–26. Winter will be stepping up in the absence of fellow 7-footer Steven Crowl, while Blackwell will take on more responsibility with the departure of John Tonje. With those veteran leaders now graduated, the torch is being passed to Winter and Blackwell to lead the team on both ends of the court.
Head coach Greg Gard and the Badgers have reloaded through the transfer portal, securing a strong incoming group that includes standout point guard Nick Boyd, dynamic wing Andrew Rohde, and physical big man Austin Rapp. With these additions, Wisconsin’s projected starting five looks solid and deep, positioning the Badgers for another competitive season—and perhaps a chance to build that lasting legacy Blackwell and Winter have envisioned.
John Blackwell didn’t just let the news speak for itself—he took to social media to personally announce his return, posting a video where he smirked and said, “I’m back for year three! I’m excited to work… let’s do it.” His confident, energized message set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season for the Wisconsin Badgers.
This decision not only gives Wisconsin a major boost but may also prove invaluable for Blackwell’s long-term future. Going through the NBA Draft evaluation process likely gave him a clear picture of what he needs to improve to become a high NBA Draft pick next year. According to reports, Blackwell was spotted participating in multiple NBA pro days, gathering insight from scouts and front offices before ultimately choosing to return.
Now, with added motivation and another year to develop, Blackwell is poised to take a major leap—and so are the Badgers.
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