Utah Jazz Select John Tonje With 53rd Pick In Second Round

Jun 26, 2025, 8:19 PM | Updated: 8:41 pm

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 16: John Tonje #9 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

BY BRIAN PREECE

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz added Wisconsin Badger wing John Tonje with the 53rd pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Tonje joins first-round selections Ace Bailey (No. 5) and Walter Clayton Jr. (No. 18).

RELATED: What Are Jazz Getting In Ace Bailey?

The @utahjazz select wing John Tonje with the No. 53 pick in the 2025 @NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/6IdFgNjXxG

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 27, 2025

Tonje was an efficient scorer from every level while at Wisconsin. The 6’5 “, 212-pound wing has the size and athleticism to create at the NBA level, assuming his perimeter shot translates effectively.

RotoWire.com compared Tonje to former Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker.

John Tonje – Wing – Wisconsin

19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists – .472/.388/.906

A native of North Omaha, Nebraska, Tonje averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 assists per game while leading the Omaha Central Eagles to a runner-up finish in the state tournament.

He began his college career playing four seasons with the Colorado State Rams in 2019. Tonje went on to play 122 games with 46 starts for the Rams.

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

Tonje averaged a career-high in points (14.6), rebounds (4.7), and assists (1.3), while adding 25 steals and 11 blocked shots.

He joined the Cameroon National Team in 2023, helping the team to a 4-0 record in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Nigeria.

The #Jazz are getting a certified bucket getter in John Tonje.

🏀 1st Team All-Big Ten selection
🏀 2nd Team All American
🏀 19.6 PPG, 38% from 3
🏀 Season high 41 against Arizona#Badgers pic.twitter.com/VnATYI3gDi

— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) June 27, 2025

Tonje transferred to Missouri as a graduate senior in 2023-24 but took a medical redshirt because of a recurring injury that limited him to eight games.

Tonje led the Badgers to the NCAA Tournament. He scored a school record 37 points in a loss to BYU.

2025 NBA Draft

Round 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft is taking place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, June 26.

First Round

Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks
Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs
VJ Edgecombe | Philadelphia 76ers
Kon Knueppel | Charlotte Hornets
Ace Bailey | Utah Jazz
Tre Johnson | Washington Wizards
Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans Pelicans
Egor Demin (BYU) | Brooklyn Nets
Collin Murray-Boyles | Toronto Raptors
Khaman Maluach | Phoenix Suns (via trade)
Cedric Coward | Memphis Grizzlies (via trade)
Noa Essengue | Chicago Bulls
Derik Queen | New Orleans Pelicans (via trade)
Carter Bryant | San Antonio Spurs
Thomas Sorber | Oklahoma City Thunder
Hansen Yang | Portland Trail Blazers (via trade)
Joan Beringer | Minnesota Timberwolves
Walter Clayton Jr. | Utah Jazz (via trade)
Nolan Traoré | Brooklyn Nets
Kasparas Jakučionis | Miami Heat
Will Riley | Washington Wizards (via trade)
Drake Powell | Brooklyn Nets (via trade)
Asa Newell | Atlanta Hawks (via trade)
Nique Clifford | Oklahoma City Thunder
Jace Richardson | Orlando Magic
Ben Saraf | Brooklyn Nets
Danny Wolf | Brooklyn Nets
Hugo González | Boston Celtics
Liam McNeeley | Charlotte Hornets (via trade)
Yanic Konan Niederhauser | Los Angeles Clippers

Second Round

(31) Rasheer Fleming | Phoenix Suns (via trade)
(32) Noah Penda | Orlando Magic (via trade)
(33) Sion James | Charlotte Hornets
(34) Ryan Kalkbrenner | Charlotte Hornets
(35) Jonni Broom | Philadelphia 76ers
(36) Adou Thiero | Los Angeles Lakers (via trade)
(37) Chaz Lanier | Detroit Pistons
(38) Kam Jones | Indiana Pacers (via trade)
(39) Alijah Martin | Toronto Raptors
(40) Micah Peavy | New Orleans Pelicans (via trade)
(41) Koby Brea | Phoenix Suns (via trade)
(42) Maxime Raynaud | Sacramento Kings
(43) Jamir Watkins| Washington Wizards
(44) Brooks Barnhizer | Oklahoma City Thunder
(45) Rocco Zikarsky | Chicago Bulls
(46) Amari Williams | Orlando Magic
(47) Bogoljub Marković | Milwaukee Bucks
(48) Javon Small | Memphis Grizzlies
(49) Tyrese Proctor | Cleveland Cavaliers
(50) Kobe Sanders | Los Angeles Clippers (via trade)
(51) Mohamed Diawara | New York Knicks (via trade)
(52) Alex Toohey | Golden State Warriors (via trade)
(53) John Tonje | Utah Jazz
(54) Taelon Peter | Indiana Pacers
(55) Lachlan Olbrich | Chicago Bulls (via trade)
(56) Will Richard | Golden State Warriors (via trade)
(57) Max Shulga | Boston Celtics (via trade)
(58) Saliou Niang | Cleveland Cavaliers
(59) Jahmai Mashack | Memphis Grizzlies (via trade)

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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10- 12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.

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