A year ago, John Tonje was an NBA afterthought, entering the transfer portal from Missourui after sitting out most of his fifth collegiate year with an injury.
One spectacular season with the Wisconsin Badgers later, and he’s gaining real NBA Draft interest with a high likelihood of hearing his name called next month.
The latest mock draft from The Athletic’s senior NBA Draft writer Sam Vecenie has Tonje being taken by the Golden State Warriors with their second round pick.
New 2025 NBA Mock Draft is up. https://t.co/5bPN2xv7yi pic.twitter.com/nyMsZ2SEFZ
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 1, 2025
At the 41st overall pick, Tonje isn’t some fringe NBA draft pick. He’s closer to a potential first-round player than an undrafted free agent.
While he’s likely to remain in that second-round range, a landing spot like Golden State could be ideal. Veteran teammates like Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green could provide excellent mentors who can show him what it takes to succeed at the professional level.
And Tonje couldn’t ask for a better coach than Steve Kerr to try and maximize his potential.
It could be an uphill battle for him to stick on a Warriors’ roster loaded with talent, but veteran guard Gary Payton II is set to hit free agency, and a player like Tonje could step in and provide a much cheaper alternative to come off the bench.
If drafted, he would become just the second Wisconsin player taken in the draft in the last decade, joining Johnny Davis in 2022.
37 points. Fought until the end.
John Tonje turned in an all-time performance last night in his final game as a Badger. Couldn’t have battled back without him. pic.twitter.com/jVYtEQ3OzZ
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 23, 2025
