The Wisconsin Badgers’ backcourt duo from the 2025-26 season is among the players with connections to the state who will have the opportunity to impress NBA scouts in Chicago.
Nick Boyd and John Blackwell became the latest former Badgers to earn invitations to the NBA combine, the league announced May 1. Former Pewaukee standout Milan Momcilovic and Ashwaubenon’s Amari Allen also were among the 73 players to earn combine invitations.
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Blackwell recently transferred to Duke after three seasons at Wisconsin, but he also announced he was testing the NBA draft waters when he entered the transfer portal April 6. Blackwell scored more than 1,500 points in his three seasons with the Badgers – the only high-major team to offer him a scholarship out of high school.
Boyd had a starring role in his one season as Wisconsin’s starting point guard after spending four years at Florida Atlantic and one year at San Diego State. He was the first UW player to average 20-plus points per game in a season since Michael Finley in 1995.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) engages Michigan fans during the second half of their semifinal game in the Big Ten tournament Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Michigan beat Wisconsin 68-65.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) engages Michigan fans during the second half of their semifinal game in the Big Ten tournament Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Michigan beat Wisconsin 68-65.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) urges on Wisconsin fans during the first half of their semifinal game against Michigan in the Big Ten tournament Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of their quarterfinal game in the Big Ten tournament Friday, March 13, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Wisconsin beat Illinois 91-88.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) drives between Washington center Lathan Sommerville (24) and forward Hannes Steinbach (6) during the first half of their third round game of the Big Ten tournament Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the second half of their third round game of the Big Ten tournament Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Wisconsin beat Washington 85-82.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Mar 7, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) drives to the basket during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after a score during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kohl Center on February 22, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives to the basket on Cam Manyawu #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Kohl Center on February 22, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts with the crowd after he scored during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kohl Center on February 22, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers walks toward the bench in the final seconds of game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kohl Center on February 22, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 13: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after making a three-point shot during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Kohl Center on February 13, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) hits a three-point basket during the second half of their game Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat 10th ranked Michigan State 92-71.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) scores on Ohio State guard Gabe Cupps (4) during the first half of their game Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) is fouled by Minnesota forward Grayson Grove (2) during the second half of their game Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Minnesota 67-63.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) scores on Rutgers guard Lino Mark (2) during the second half of their game Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Rutgers 96-87.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) drives on UCLA forward Eric Dailey Jr. (3) during the second half of their game Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UCLA 80-72.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) encourages the crowd during the second half of their game Friday, December 19, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Villanova beat Wisconsin 76-66 in overtime.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) tries to fire up the crowd during the second half of their game Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Marquette 96-76.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Dec 10, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) drives against Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Pryce Sandfort (21) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Dec 10, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) drives against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Sam Hoiberg (1) during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Dec 10, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) shoots the ball against Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Braden Frager (5) during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) listens to head coach Greg Gard during the first half of their game against Marquette Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) scores on Marquette forward Michael Phillips II (35) during the second half of their game Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Marquette 96-76.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 03: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers goes to the basket between Jake West #3 and Jordan Clayton #11 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Kohl Center on December 03, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) scores on Northwestern guard Jayden Reid (4) during the second half of their game Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Northwestern 85-73.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Nov 27, 2025; San Diego, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) reacts with Wisconsin Badgers forward Austin Rapp (22) after scoring against the Providence Friars during the second half at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) steals the ball from BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) during the first half at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd goes up for a shot on Gianni Cobb (0) of Northern Illinois during the second half on Friday, Nov. 7 at the Kohl Center in Madison.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of their game against Ball State Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Nick Boyd has made a big impact with Wisconsin Badgers basketball
Badgers guard Nick Boyd reacts after making a 3-pointer during the first half against Northern Illinois on Nov. 7 at Kohl Center in Madison.
The 6-foot-8 Momcilovic thrived in three seasons at Iowa State under St. Thomas More alum T.J. Otzelberger’s tutelage, most recently averaging 16.9 points per game and earning second-team all-Big 12 recognition in 2025-26. He entered the transfer portal in addition to declaring for the draft.
Allen, the 2025 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as a freshman at Alabama in 2025-26. The 6-8 forward earned SEC all-freshman team honors after the season.
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25) and guard Nick Boyd (2) are shown during the waning moment of their game Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Marquette 96-76.
The combine will be from May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. Players with remaining college eligibility have until May 27 to withdraw from the draft and retain their eligibility.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Which Badgers, Wisconsin natives earned 2026 NBA combine invitations?