21-05-2025
LOOK: Wisconsin basketball star throws out first pitch at Major League Baseball game
LOOK: Wisconsin basketball star throws out first pitch at Major League Baseball game
Former Wisconsin basketball star John Tonje threw out the first pitch at the Chicago White Sox game on Monday afternoon.
Sporting the franchise's 2025 City Connect Uniform, which celebrates both the White Sox and the Chicago Bulls, Tonje launched a strike to kickstart the action at Rate Field. The White Sox would go on to lose 5-1 to the Seattle Mariners.
Tonje's first pitch follows his stint at the NBA draft combine at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, from May 11-18. He performed well at the event, including a 17-point output in one of its five-on-five scrimmages. That performance cemented his projection as a second-round pick.
The North Omaha, Nebraska, native also displayed efficient shooting during drills to start the combine, something onlookers in Madison grew accustomed to during his short tenure with the Badgers.
Despite those impressive performances, Tonje is still considered a mid-second-rounder by several outlets. ESPN's latest mock draft slots him No. 48 to the Memphis Grizzlies, which followed an earlier projection of No. 47 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
While Wisconsin fans may still hope that Tonje can land somewhere late in the first round, it's inarguable that the former Colorado State Ram boosted his draft stock while playing for the Badgers. In 37 games, the veteran averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists off 46.5% shooting from the field and 38.8% from deep in 31.1 minutes per appearance.
In his final game representing UW, Tonje dropped 37 points -- the most by any Badger in NCAA Tournament history -- in a 91-89 loss to BYU. The barrage encapsulated his scoring capabilities, signaling a bittersweet ending and a promising basketball future.
Badger fans will likely witness Tonje be drafted on June 26, the second night of the 2025 NBA draft. His approximate position on the draft board will be one to monitor.
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