Full Scouting Report of Badgers' 2023 Three-Star CG John Blackwell
A film breakdown of 2023 commit, three-star combo-guard John Blackwell:
Madison, Wis. - Greg Gard secured his first verbal commitment in the 2023 recruiting cycle back in April from three-star combo guard John Blackwell out of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Coach Gard and his staff quickly identified the talented combo-guard and prioritized him. They offered Blackwell a scholarship back in September of 2021, making UW the first and only power-five offer for the Michigan native.
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound combo-guard also held offers from Cleveland State, Oakland, Rhode Island, VCU, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, and Central Michigan.
Per the 247Sports composite, Blackwell is the No. 195 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, the No. 25 CG in the country, and the No. 3 player in Michigan.
As a junior, the Brother Rice standout averaged 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists on a blisering 49% shooting from beyond the arc.
Scouting report:
When you see an offer list like Blackwell’s, it’s fair to wonder which school got its evaluation right. Was there something other power-five schools saw that UW missed? Or did Greg Gard identify an under-the-radar combo-guard and seal the deal before his recruitment could take off?
These are fair questions to ask.
"Wisconsin didn't do what most schools do -- wait around and see who else offers him," Brother Rice head coach Rick Palmer told BadgerNotes. "They never asked the questions, 'Who else has offered him, who else is looking at him? Just trusted their eyes and liked what they saw.
The Michigan native is a good, not great, athlete that plays with a high level of intensity and an impressive motor on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, Blackwell has the intangibles and desire to be great. In short, he passes the eye test on D.
Here are a few examples of his suffocating defense:
The 6-foot-5 CG has the size, strength, and lateral quickness to match up against primary ball-handlers or switch onto wings defensively.
Blackwell moves his feet well and works to keep ball handlers in front of him when they attack the basket. He also does a great job of playing physically and using his chest-to-body-up ball handlers.
Many feel that his ability to impact games as a defender will be the quickest way onto the floor, and I agree. His motor is impressive.
Breaking down Blackwell’s offensive game:
The three-star CG has good size and the versatility to play either guard spot for the Badgers – although I see him as more of an off-ball guard. Right now, he doesn’t look all that comfortable playing point guard.
I’m skeptical of his instincts at the position, at least in a full-time capacity, but the tools to succeed are there.
Blackwell’s head coach Rick Palmer described him offensively as a “driver first, shooter second, that only takes open three’s off the catch and shoot. He shoots it best off the dribble on pull-up threes in transition or off a ball screen.”
When asked about Blackwell’s best position at the next level, Coach Palmer had this to say:
“Right now, he’s more of a traditional two that plays the one, but I believe he has all the tools to be a point guard. He needs to play the position more.”
I’m most intrigued with Blackwell as an ancillary playmaker that can create his shot out on the wing. Wisconsin hasn’t traditionally had many players like this in the past.
Here are a few examples of Blackwell’s ability to create off the dribble:
Blackwell isn’t someone I’d classify as a sniper from beyond the arc. Right now, he’s good, not great.
Still, his improvements as a spot-up shooter are encouraging - and bode well for him sticking at the “two” at the next level.
He has a chance to develop into a reliable catch-and-shoot option out on the wing - a real 3&D prospect, if you will.