Playing More off the Ball, John Blackwell Enjoying 3-Point Shooting Outburst

MADISON, Wis. — When John Blackwell was a high school recruit, one could argue that scoring was maybe the fourth or fifth best thing he brought to the floor. On the Nike EYBL circuit, Blackwell made a name for himself as a defensive stopper, a high-IQ point guard, and a prospect who thrived on doing the little things that didn’t necessarily show up in the stat sheet. In fact, Wisconsin constantly stated that they recruited him for all of the above.

It wasn’t until a scholastic event in Michigan that head coach Greg Gard knew Blackwell was going to bring more of a scoring punch to the floor at the next level. In June prior to Blackwell’s senior year, Gard, who already had Blackwell verbally committed, watched the former three-star guard at Grand Valley State University. Playing alongside two other Division 1 recruits, Blackwell, who often go entire games without being overly aggressive scoring the basketball with his AAU team, The Family, had a different mindset with Brother Rice High School.

Even still, the numbers Blackwell has put up throughout his career, and especially now in his junior season, are quite surprising for what once was the fourth or fifth scoring option on his own AAU squad.

“I would say he’s been able to (not only) improve, but blossom,” said Gard.

Through nine games for Wisconsin (7-2), Blackwell is third in the Big Ten Conference in scoring at 21.0 points per game. The junior guard is shooting 41.1 percent from the field, including 43.3 percent from 3-point range. Blackwell’s 3.2 3-pointers per game is currently on pace to best Bronson Koenig (2.9) for the school record in a single season.

The numbers from beyond the arc are currently way up from Blackwell’s sophomore campaign. Blackwell came in as a true freshman and lit it up from deep, hitting at a 45.5 percent clip. That number dipped to 32.2 percent the following season.

As expected, there was some natural regression. As a true freshman, Blackwell was in the middle of the scouting report. As a sophomore, his name was at the top of the list of who opponents aimed to stop. Many of the rhythm shots Blackwell got in year one just weren’t going to be there in year two. However, Blackwell still felt as if he had left a number of points on the board.

“I felt like last year, I just took some shots that, my 10 toes weren’t down, and I was taking some off-balance,” said Blackwell. “This year, I just focused on getting my toes down, get my body squared to the rim on those shots. Then off the dribble, just making sure I’m keying in on all those shots.”

In a lot of ways, it’s felt like Blackwell’s true freshman year again, as far as his outside shooting goes. Last season, Wisconsin went without a true point guard in its starting lineup, leaving Blackwell to handle a lot of the duties. With the additions of senior guard Nick Boyd, senior guard Andrew Rohde, and sophomore forward Austin Rapp, all excellent passers, Blackwell doesn’t need to be the one to get the Badgers in their sets and can play more opportunistic offense as others create for him.

“It’s a combination of him not having to constantly initiate the offense,” said Gard. “Even though he was pretty good at it. It’s a combination of the guys around him, too.”

But the biggest reason Blackwell, who is attempting 7.4 triples per game, is lighting it up from beyond the arc? His work ethic. As Gard always says, you want to shoot better, get in the gym, and then take better shots.

Check and check for Blackwell.

“He’s gotten better. He’s tightened shit shot up. He’s gotten more consistent with it, with his rotation and his release. For the most part, he’s been pretty judicial with the shots that he takes.”

The reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, Blackwell, is averaging 28.7 points over UW’s last three outings. Scoring 30 points in a loss to TCU and 30 in a win over Marquette on Saturday, Blackwell is one of just three players to have multiple 30-point efforts this season.

And the Badger offense is humming right along with him.

Averaging 86.9 ppg this season, UW has hit the 80-point mark in seven of nine games this season. According to KenPom, the Badgers have the nation’s No. 26 ranked attack.

“These guys are finding me in the right spots,” said Blackwell.

Blackwell is doing more than just shooting the basketball. Doing a little bit of everything, Blackwell is posting 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He’s also drawing over seven fouls per game, which has led to 7.4 trips to the free throw line per outing.

Prior to Saturday’s win over the Golden Eagles, Blackwell was honored for scoring his 1,000th career point. Only eight players have hit the 1,000-point mark faster in program history than Blackwell.

Not bad for a guy whose only power-conference scholarship offer out of high school came from Wisconsin.

“It’s an honor to be part of this team. I’m blessed to be in this culture and play for Wisconsin and wear this ‘W’ across my chest,” he said. “It was just a blessing that coach took a chance on a kid like me.”

Passing on the NBA after last season and opting to return to school, Wisconsin is enjoying every minute they have left of Blackwell on the floor.

“Blackwell’s a special player,” said Marquette head coach Shaka Smart. “I’ve coached a couple of guys who are now in the NBA. He’s that good.”