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Utah Jazz Sign Wisconsin Breakout Guard John Tonje to Two-Way Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 5:50 PM ET

When the Utah Jazz used a second round pick, No. 53 overall, on Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje, it was widely assumed he would join the team on a two-way contract the way most mid to late second round picks do.

It took almost exactly two months, but that's exactly what unfolded after a social media post from Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype confirmed the signing.

Tonje only made two Summer League appearances with Utah in Las Vegas, averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 4-13 (30.8%) from three. That tepid performance, along with Utah signing undrafted free agent RJ Luis to a two-way contract, had many wondering if Tonje was going to get cut before he even played in an NBA game.

However, Utah's decision to trade Luis for Georges Niang and a pair of second round picks opened up one of the team's two way spots for Tonje, who will now get a chance to play for both Utah and the Salt Lake Stars in the G-League.

The Utah Jazz and No. 53 pick John Tonje have agreed to a two-way contract, league sources told @hoopshype. Tonje was an All-American for the Wisconsin Badgers last season, averaging 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. pic.twitter.com/5uQH0vcwRd
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 26, 2025

Tonje was among the biggest breakout stars in all of college basketball last season. After steadily progressing across four seasons at Colorado State from 2019-2023, Tonje hit the transfer portal and landed at Missouri in the SEC for the 2024-25 campaign. He was limited to just eight games however, and was granted an additional year of eligibility which he used to land at Wisconsin.

From there Tonje exploded. Greg Gard and the Badgers encouraged the 6'5 guard to use his size and athleticism to get downhill, and his ability to draw contact led to him attempting nearly seven free throws per game - which he made at a 90.9% clip.

His breakout performance came in mid-November when Wisconsin hosted Arizona, a game the Badgers won 103-88 behind 41 points from Tonje - who shot 4-6 from three and 21-22 from the charity stripe.

Tonje also had a 37 point game against BYU, 33 points vs Pitt, and 32 points, six rebounds, and three assists at Purdue in a major win for the Badgers.

All told Tonje finished his lone season in Madison averaging 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 54.1% on twos and 38.8% from three on nearly six attempts per game.

Tonje joins a Utah club that has plenty of young depth on the wing, including fellow rookies Ace Bailey (Rutgers) and Walter Clayton Jr (Florida) as well as Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Cody Williams.

Still, his ability to get to the free throw line and convert is incredibly valuable in the modern NBA and should lead to him getting plenty of opportunities for a rebuilding Jazz team in 2025-26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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