As a freshman, all of John Tonje’s friends were on the A squad at Omaha Central High School, while he was stuck on the B team.

One afternoon after their games, the boys were hanging out at Tonje’s house eating snacks from his mom. It’s a moment that’s stuck with him ever since. 

“My friend Niko says these snacks should only be for guys who played in the freshman A game. … That turned me into a maniac in the gym. From that point on, I was trying to get to another level on the court,” Tonje told Andscape.  

The relentless energy inspired by his friend’s comment has propelled Tonje to heights unexpected for a player averaging less than two points per game as a high school sophomore. A 6-foot-6-inch guard, Tonje wrapped up his sixth year in NCAA ball as a graduate transfer at Wisconsin. 

With the 53rd pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, Tonje was selected by the Utah Jazz. 

Last season, Tonje became the first Division I player since Kemba Walker to record over 30 points in three games against top ten opponents. He scored 41 points against No. 9 Arizona, 32 points against No. 7 Purdue and 32 points against No. 7 Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship semifinal. 

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His 724 total points were the second-most in a single season by any Badger athlete. and 19.6 points-per-game average (37 games) was the fourth-best of all Big Ten players. Tonje also broke Wisconsin single-season records in free throws (231) and free throw percentage (90.9%) and single-game free throws (21).

Tonje’s performance at Wisconsin was strong enough to threaten Purdue’s Braden Smith in the Big Ten Player of the Year talks, though Smith ended up receiving the award. 

The Jazz finished dead last in the league last year — anyone they can get will help. But Tonje specifically will add the offensive strength Utah currently lacks.