John Tonje’s impressive 2024-25 season with the Wisconsin Badgers may have not translated well to some NBA draft analysts at the start but he has been working hard to leave a lasting impression to scouts and its appears to be paying off now.
The 24-year-old shooting guard, who averaged 19.6 per game 37 games for the Badgers, was previously projected to be picked late in the second round but after a series pre-draft work out, NBA combine, and other activities, he saw his stock rose.
The latest ESPN mock draft showed that he might get picked at no. 42 by the Chicago Bulls.
The Athletic, on the other hand, thought he is a player that can get picked at 37th.
Tonje is regarded as an NBA player ready given his age although that also is being used as a disadvantage as some analysts believe teams would rather pick players they can still develop.
John Tonje’s strengths and weaknesses
His scouting reports are very positive though. Hoops Hype wrote:
Big-time catch-and-shoot threat, knocked down 42.1% on spot-up threes this year and 40.5% across upperclassman seasons.
Clean, consistent mechanics with effortless release, sets feet quickly, shoots on balance, and gets it off from multiple platforms.
He still has a room for improvement. One area scouts believe is a hole in his game is his defense.
Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor said his lateral quickness might not be enough for him to keep up with guards and his size is only average.
He also pointed out Tonje’s lack off play-making skills.
Tonje had a negative assist-to-turnover ratio in each of his college seasons because he gets way too out of control on his drives and lacks an advanced handle.
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