Wisconsin star John Tonje is improving his NBA draft stock with the event now 42 days away.
The All-American wing is one of 75 draft hopefuls participating in the NBA combine. ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony noted that of those players, Tonje shot the fifth-best percentage during the event’s drills (72%). The Wisconsin star trailed only Alabama’s Mark Sears (83%), Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier (77%), Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard (73%) and Memphis’ P.J. Haggerty (73%).
While a minor note, Tonje’s shooting performance should accurately display what he’d bring to an NBA lineup. The wing averaged 19.6 points per game leading the Badgers in 2024-25. That included shooting rates of 46.5% from the floor, 39% from 3 and 91% from the free-throw line. He’s a versatile scorer who is nearly impossible to guard when he’s ‘on.’ Look no further than his performance in the Badgers’ NCAA Tournament loss to BYU: 37 points, four rebounds and four assists on 10-of-18 shooting, 3-of-9 from 3 and 14-of-16 from the line.
The major question surrounding Tonje’s game as he enters the professional level is whether he can consistently separate from NBA defenders. While important, that becomes less of a concern if he showcases prolific shooting ability at multiple levels.
This week’s combine appears to be a positive step in that direction.
ESPN currently projects Tonje as a mid-second-round pick. The Athletic has him going No. 41 overall, Yahoo Sports No. 40, Bleacher Report No. 47 and Sporting News No. 48. That mid-40s range marks a consensus standing, one that guarantees Tonje to hear his name called.
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