It’s June 26, 2025 — John Tonje waits for his name to be called by Adam Silver. The Utah Jazz make pick No. 53, and Tonjie hears his name – his family goes nuts.
So much excitement fills the room that some of his friends break his TV! The former Wisconsin Badger star gets a real chance at making his NBA dreams come true.
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Surprising Pick
John Tonje broke many records at his last school, Wisconsin. Most notably, he scored the second-most points by a Badger player in a single season and made the most free throws in team history.
Tonje’s college stats are quite impressive. He worked his way up to being a bona fide starter at Colorado State, and then averaged 19.6 points, 1.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game his senior season with the Badgers.
When Tonje fell to pick No. 53 for his age, the Jazz front office was stunned. According to reports, they were keeping a close eye on his progress all year and were very excited to have a player full of experience on their team.
“I think just with time, I’ve experienced more adversity,” Tonje stated. “I know how to handle things, and I know it’s going to be tough, and it’s going to be a road, but it’s something that I’m willing to take on.”
John Tonje‘s Ability to Adapt
John Tonje’s college game has translated well to the G League. He’s averaging 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in the G League’s Tip-off Tournament so far. His best game came against the South Bay Lakers where he had a dominant showing of 30 points, two steals, two assists, and six rebounds.
Tonje has always been a good scorer for a slightly undersized guard, having the ability to shoot the three and get into the paint at will.
Getting to the foul line is also part of Tonje’s arsenal, averaging 6.9 free throws per game in college. He’s averaged two free throw attempts per game in the G League.
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It’s evident and impressive that his scoring is coming more from regular shot attempts rather than getting his points at the line.
Tonje has upgraded his defensive capability as well. In college, Tonjie had a few highlight stops, like when he thwarted a game-winning shot to send Wisconsin to the Big 10 title.
At Wisconsin, Tonje only averaged 0.7 steals; in the G League, he’s averaging 1.1 steals. Again, it’s a minute change to his game, but it shows Tonje’s willingness to be coached and adapt.
Making It to the Big Leagues
As of right now, John Tonje’s chances of making it to the Jazz’s main roster are slim. Much of the team’s young talent, such as Taylor Hendricks and Isaiah Collier, are playing too well for a call-up to happen.
Tonje has the chance to make the roster in the second half of the season if the Jazz follow their pattern of trading players for assets at the deadline. Tonje has the skills to make the league — any team in the league can use someone who can score off the dribble and the catch-and-shoot (a quality that got Sam Merrill into the league).
The prospect adds to his enticement by being able to drive into the paint with ease with his speed – an ability any guard needs to have in a league full of giants. Even if his stats don’t leap off the page to most fans, Tonjie doesn’t necessarily need to be averaging 30 to be an NBA player.
Khris Middleton himself averaged 11 points, 7.7 rebounds, and three assists per game in his time in the G League. Middleton ended up becoming an integral piece on a championship Milwaukee Bucks team.
It’s all about adaptation for any player to become a key cog in an NBA roster. If their game can’t translate, then they’re not an NBA player. Tonje has proven that he can adapt his game to multiple college leagues and now the NBA minors.
If he continues on his current trajectory, Tonje can find himself on the Jazz roster. He could even aid the Jazz in a trade if his value continues to go up, proving second-round picks are worthwhile.
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