JOHN BLACKWELL

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John Blackwell's journey  to becoming a standout player for the Wisconsin Badgers reads like the script of a young athlete realizing his potential on a big stage.   As a freshman, John wasted no time making an impact, earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team with an impressive debut season. Averaging 8.0 points per game, 

John shot an impressive 45.1% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc, and 82.1% from the free-throw line. His talent shone brightly as he became the first Badger since Nigel Hayes in 2013-14 to receive four Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. 

John’s freshman season was filled with remarkable highlights. He dropped a career-high 18 points in just 18 minutes off the bench against Robert Morris. In November, his contributions helped the Badgers secure the 2023 Fort Myers Tip-Off title, where he averaged 10 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. On December 9th, he stole the show, leading the team with 17 points and 7 rebounds in an electrifying win over No. 1 Arizona. 

As the season progressed, John continued to deliver, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Rutgers and putting up a team-high 18 points in a crucial win against No. 3 Purdue. His clutch performance carried into the Big Ten Tournament, where he sank 4-of-6 from three-point range to lead the team with 18 points against Maryland.