The NBA draft is still months away, but the road to the league begins in Chicago—and this year, a handful of players with Wisconsin ties have punched their tickets to the big stage.

The NBA announced on May 1 that 73 players received invitations to the 2026 NBA Combine, and among them are two former Wisconsin Badgers guards: Nick Boyd and John Blackwell. Both players were key pieces of the Badgers' backcourt during the 2025-26 season, and now they'll get a chance to showcase their skills in front of league scouts and executives.

Blackwell, who recently announced his transfer to Duke after three standout seasons in Madison, has declared for the draft while also testing the waters. He scored over 1,500 points during his time with the Badgers—an impressive feat considering Wisconsin was the only high-major program to offer him a scholarship out of high school. His combination of scoring, toughness, and experience makes him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a versatile guard.

Boyd, meanwhile, made an immediate impact in his lone season as Wisconsin's starting point guard. After spending four years at Florida Atlantic and one at San Diego State, he transferred to the Badgers and became the first UW player to average 20-plus points per game since Michael Finley in 1995. His ability to create his own shot and run the offense caught the attention of scouts, and now he'll have the chance to prove he belongs at the next level.

But the Wisconsin connections don't stop there. Former Pewaukee High School standout Milan Momcilovic and Ashwaubenon's Amari Allen also earned combine invitations, giving the state multiple representatives at the prestigious event.

The NBA Combine is a critical step for draft hopefuls, offering a mix of athletic testing, skill drills, and scrimmages that can make or break a player's stock. For these Wisconsin natives, it's a chance to turn hard work and hometown pride into a shot at the league.