Former Wisconsin basketball star John Tonje joined an exclusive group on Thursday evening.
Tonje, who was selected with the 53rd overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, became the fourth Badger since 2015 to hear his name called by either NBA commissioner Adam Silver or deputy commissioner Mark Tatum. With the selection, the North Omaha, Nebraska, native joined lottery pick Johnny Davis (2022), AP College Basketball Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky (2015) and standout Sam Dekker (2015) as Badger draftees dating back to 2015.
The second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten teamer will join the Jazz following his most prolific collegiate season to date. Across 37 games, Tonje averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game off 46.5% shooting from the field, 39% from 3 and 91% from the free-throw line. In his final performance donning the scarlet and white, Tonje set a program record for the most points in an NCAA Tournament game with 37 against the BYU Cougars, an indication of his offensive capabilities ahead of his professional career.
Tonje is one of three Jazz draftees alongside former Rutgers star Ace Bailey, who was picked No. 5 overall, and Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., who landed at No. 18. All three will aim to help the Jazz improve upon its league-worst 17-65 output during the 2024-25 season in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
The Utah Jazz have selected Wisconsin’s John Tonje with the No. 53 pick. One of the best scorers in college basketball. pic.twitter.com/igVBOyYQKf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
While Badger fans won’t witness Tonje step foot on the Kohl Center’s hardwood next season, they can now tune in to Jazz games throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from his selection in the 2025 draft
Tonje did not ‘slip’
While ESPN’s Jonathan Givony projected Tonje to hear his name called at No. 39 by the Toronto Raptors in his final mock draft, Tonje did not suffer a drastic drop in the draft. ESPN’s June 17 mock draft slotted Tonje at No. 42 overall to the Sacramento Kings, and its post-lottery installation had the UW alumnus going No. 47 to Milwaukee.
Yes, mock drafts often prove a reliable resource for learning which names will be called during the event, but they are rarely 100% accurate. Bailey, who was once projected as the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 cohort, fell to No. 5. Liam McNeeley fell to No. 29, and Jase Richardson was the No. 25 selection. Tonje belongs in the same conversation.
At this stage of the draft, teams typically invest in depth and reliability. As an efficient veteran, Tonje fits that bill.
Tonje’s climb into the Jazz rotation could be a tough one
While the Jazz don’t boast the most star power in the Western Conference, the team is littered with young talent. Its summer league starting roster will likely feature Isaiah Collier, Jaden Springer, Cody Williams, Bailey and Kyle Filipowski. Tonje, alongside Clayton Jr., Elijah Harkless, R.J. Luis Jr. and Oscar Tshiebwe, will look to showcase their NBA ceilings in search of potential NBA minutes.
Still, Tonje’s ability to impact an offense from all three levels at an efficient clip could separate him from his peers. Collier, Williams, Filipowski and Springer already boast NBA reps, but most of Tonje’s other counterparts will join the Jazz’s roster as newcomers. Tonje will need to work hard, but he’s ingrained into the roster as a second-rounder.
The Jazz received great value at No. 53
While some teams elect to utilize earlier draft picks on raw potential, others pinpoint NBA-ready players to contribute on day one. That’s exactly what Tonje’s selection represents.
The wing played five seasons of college basketball and spent time with Cameroon’s national team in August 2023 during the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Nigeria. He witnessed his scoring averages increase in every healthy year of his collegiate career, culminating in his final season of stardom in Madison. He illustrated his ability to perform under pressure, drill looks from outside and draw contact to reach the foul line. The Jazz knew what they were getting in Tonje, and they pounced on the opportunity.
Tonje fits Utah’s timeline of contention
The Jazz boasted an average age of 24.8 years during the 2024-25 season, the fourth-youngest of any NBA franchise behind the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets. At 24, Tonje certainly fits what Will Hardy and the Jazz’s brass are attempting to build.
Walker Kessler (23), Lauri Markkanen (28), John Collins (27), Collin Sexton (26) and Jordan Clarkson (33) are the senior-most players expected to accumulate the highest volume of minutes this upcoming season. While some franchises rely on veteran leadership, Utah is attempting to return to the postseason through development and patience. This helps the former Badger.
Utah’s return to glory may be a season or two away. If that remains the case, hard work and persistence can bolster Tonje’s likelihood of seeing the floor, even in blowouts.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Basketball John Tonje NBA draft selection takeaways
