Wisconsin point guard John Blackwell wasted little time turning the transfer portal into a recruiting channel, publicly praising Tulane guard Curtis Williams Jr. as “another gem” less than an hour after Williams’ April 1 portal entry — a signal that Badgers’ players are already engaging in recruiting ahead of a roster that will be missing Nick Boyd next season.
Williams, a 6-foot-6 junior from Detroit, averaged career highs for the Green Wave in 2025-26: 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while starting 32 of 33 contests and averaging 32.1 minutes. He began his collegiate career at Louisville, spent a season at Georgetown and then moved to Tulane, meaning he would be headed to his fourth program in four years if he follows through on another transfer.
Blackwell’s quick public endorsement follows a similar shout-out he gave when Toledo guard Sonny Wilson entered the portal, underscoring how the soon-to-be senior point guard has been quietly active in shaping Wisconsin’s next backcourt. With Boyd’s departure, the Badgers will be in the market for perimeter playmakers and wing depth; Williams’ size at 6-6 and his heavy minutes this past season position him as a potentially intriguing fit.
There are practical complications. Williams has one year of eligibility remaining, limiting him to a short-term addition, and his history of moves — Louisville to Georgetown to Tulane — raises questions about continuity. Nevertheless, coaches often prize experienced transfers who can contribute immediately, and Williams’ consistent starting role and playing time suggest he can step into a rotation without a long adjustment period.
A small but eye-catching detail: Williams wears No. 99. Badgers fans may recall that number from a painful memory — High Point’s Chase Johnston used it in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to help pull off an upset of Wisconsin — a coincidence Blackwell’s social praise did not address.
At this stage the outreach appears to be player-driven rather than an official staff announcement. The transfer portal continues to reshape rosters across college basketball, and Wisconsin’s active recruiting by current players indicates the program will lean on internal leaders like Blackwell to help identify and court portal additions. Whether Williams ultimately chooses the Badgers or another destination will likely be resolved in the coming weeks as schools and players finalize plans for the 2026-27 season.