Former Wisconsin basketball star impresses in key NBA draft combine statistic
Former Wisconsin basketball star impresses in key NBA draft combine statistic
Final best shooters at NBA Combine drills (aggregate of all shots). Mark Sears was scorching.
83%Mark Sears
77% Chaz Lanier
73% Ryan Nembhard
73% PJ Haggerty
72% John Tonje
72% Milos Uzan
72% Cedric Coward
71% Walter Clayton
69%Koby Brea
69%Eric Dixon
69% Yaxel Lendeborg pic.twitter.com/eOABIgtO7E — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025
Former Wisconsin basketball star John Tonje showcased his shooting prowess during the first day of the 2025 NBA draft combine.
Tonje, who delivered a historic 2024-25 season leading the Badgers, displayed the efficiency that Wisconsin fans became accustomed to during his tenure in Madison. The North Omaha, Nebraska, native finished the first day of the event having made 72% of his shots, ranked fifth-best of all participants. Only Alabama's Mark Sears, Tennessee's Chaz Lanier, Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard and Memphis' PJ Haggerty accumulated a more efficient shooting percentage during the first day of action. Notably, Tonje was one of eight players to shoot at least 70% during the first day of drills, per ESPN NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony.
While reflective of only the combine's first day, the mark could prove noteworthy for Tonje's draft stock. The 2025 Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalist was recently projected to fall to No. 47 to the Milwaukee Bucks. An impressive performance at the combine could certainly alter his position on draft boards ahead of the June 25 event.
Tonje's ceiling makes him an appealing second-round prospect, and his ability to impact the game from both inside and beyond the arc could transfer to the NBA level. Tonje's most likely route to a regular roster spot would be to become a reliable two-way bench asset, a luxury for any team in the draft's second round.
The UW star averaged just under 20 points per appearance in 2024-25 while shooting 46.5% from the floor, 38.8% from outside and 90.9% from the foul line. A 37-point outing against BYU in the NCAA Tournament, 32-point performance against Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament and 41-tally performance against Arizona in November showcased his offensive capabilities, something scouts may look towards when evaluating his position as a professional.
Tonje's status in the combine will be something to monitor throughout the coming days. While projected lottery picks may not have much to prove, players in Tonje's bubble can still bolster their standing.
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