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Former Wisconsin Badgers Star Signed by Utah Jazz as Undrafted Free Agent

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jun 29, 2025 11:10 AM ET

Last week, Wisconsin Badgers star John Tonje was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 53rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In his only year at Wisconsin, he averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 47/39/90 from the floor. As a recent draft pick, he will compete with other Jazz roster hopefuls in the upcoming NBA Summer League, hoping to secure a spot.

And he will not be the only former Badgers player competing for Utah this summer. His Wisconsin teammate Steven Crowl has also joined the Jazz as an undrafted free agent.

Former Wisconsin Badgers Star Steven Crowl Has Signed with the Utah Jazz

Former Wisconsin Badgers Star Signed by Utah Jazz as Undrafted Free Agent 1 Illinois forward Will Riley (7) shoots over Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl (22) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

According to multiple reports, Crowl has signed an Exhibit-10 contract with Utah for the upcoming NBA Summer League. This contract is not guaranteed and does not even mean he will be retained by the Jazz on their G-League team.

The Badgers basketball social media page also acknowledged the signing:

Proud of you Big Steve!

The former #Badgers big man is joining the @utahjazz!#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/uWtsEZbh19

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) June 28, 2025

This past season, Crowl led the Big Ten in games played with 37. The seven-footer averaged 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 54/42/82 from the floor.

The 2024-25 season was a bit of a down year from Crowl following strong showings in each of the past two years. In 2022-23, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, though his shooting numbers were less stellar with a line of 51/31/64.

In 2023-24, though, he averaged 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 56/45/74 from the field.

Now Crowl will be looking to join Tonje on Utah’s roster. Interestingly, if both do make the team, they could be joined by another Badgers star, Micah Potter, who had been on a two-way contract with the Jazz last season.