Where Wisconsin star John Tonje falls in ESPN's final two-round NBA mock draft
With the NBA draft now just hours away, analysts and draft experts are projecting former Wisconsin star John Tonje to be selected anywhere from early to late in the second round. Of note, ESPN's Jonathan Givony's final mock draft slots the now-former Badger at No. 39 overall (No. 9 second round) to the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors would be an interesting fit for Tonje, as they have produced several high-profile scoring wings in recent memory, including OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. In addition, the franchise also helped star Kawhi Leonard have the best season of his career during his lone year in Toronto. The Raptors are a young, rebuilding franchise looking to collect pieces for the future, gearing up to return to contention for the Eastern Conference.
John Tonje is looking to become the first Badger drafted since Johnny Davis in 2022, plus the second since Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker both went in 2015. A team like the Toronto Raptors, with a history of good development and a young core, could be a perfect fit for him.
The first round of the draft is set for Wednesday, June 25, at 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT. The second round, when Tonje is likely to be selected, will start at the same time on Thursday evening.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Golden State Warriors jersey history - No. 16 - Irv Torgoff (1949)
The Golden State Warriors have had over 600 players don the more than 60 jersey numbers used by their players over the more than 75 years of existence the team has enjoyed in its rich and storied history. Founded in 1946 during the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- a precursor league of the NBA) era, the team has called home the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, and even San Diego. Advertisement To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Warriors Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. For this article, we begin with the second of nine players who wore the No. 16 jersey for the Warriors. Sep 15, 2017; Culver City, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors jerseys on display during the Nike and Sony press conference at Sony Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports That player would be Golden State forward alum Irv Torgoff. After ending his college career at LIU, Torgoff joined the (defunct) Washington Capitols in their (and the BAA's) first-ever season of existence in 1946. The Brooklyn, New York native would play the first two seasons of his pro career with the Caps. He would also play for the (also defunct) Baltimore Bullets before he was dealt to the (then) Philadelphia (now, Golden State) Warriors in 1949 for his final season in the league. Advertisement During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Torgoff wore only jersey No. 16 and put up 2.7 points per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference. This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors jersey history - No. 16 - Irv Torgoff (1949)
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade
NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers had a relatively quiet offseason before Thursday. The team made no major moves after getting bounced by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, and it also didn't have a first-round pick. Advertisement Los Angeles did not make a transaction during Wednesday's first round despite its need for a starting center. The Lakers are known for splashy offseason moves, but they haven't made one since acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February. They sent out Anthony Davis in that deal, which left a hole in their frontcourt. However, they finally made a trade during Thursday's second round, via ESPN's Shams Charania. Former Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images They sent pick No. 45 and cash to the Timberwolves for pick No. 36, which they used on Arkansas forward Adou Thiero. The 6-foot-6-inch, 218-pounder averaged 15.1 points on 54.5 percent shooting with 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 27.5 minutes for the Razorbacks last season. Advertisement Even still, many Lakers fans aren't satisfied on social media. "He can't shoot, he's trash," one said. "WE NEEDED A BIG BUT THEY DRAFTED HIGHFLYER," another said. A "high flyer" is a player known for their leaping and dunking abilities. "WOULD IT KILL THEM TO GET A [EXPLETIVE] CENTER," another asked. "There was a [expletive] good center sitting there for the Lakers & they draft this guy? I don't get it," another said. On the other hand, general NBA fans are impressed. "Ngl top 5 pick of the draft," one said. "Seriously a star, just know he averaged a good amount of assists (5 apg + I think) playing as a guard in high school," another said. Advertisement Related: Warriors NBA Champion Emerges as Potential Lakers Target Related: NBA Legend Dwight Howard Was in Tears After Major Personal News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lakers Turn Heads With Move Immediately After NBA Draft
Lakers Turn Heads With Move Immediately After NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers waited a long time to make a pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They didn't have a first-round selection, but they traded up to No. 36 on Thursday to get Arkansas forward Adou Thiero. Advertisement Los Angeles still needs a starting center, but it has several months to figure that out before opening night in October. The team traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic in February and has had a hole in the frontcourt ever since. It also agreed to acquire Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets shortly after, but it nixed the deal after he failed his physical. The Lakers made another move right after the draft on Thursday, via ESPN's Shams Charania. Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images "Villanova star Eric Dixon has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN," he reported. "Dixon was the No. 1 scorer in college basketball last season, shooting 41% from 3-point range." Advertisement The 6-foot-8-inch, 265-pounder averaged 23.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting with 5.1 rebounds across 34.7 minutes for the Wildcats last season. Fans had mixed reactions on social media. "Lakers fans gonna say he's better than [Jayson] Tatum now," one said. "How was he undrafted then?" one asked. "How did he go that low in the draft if he was hooping like that?" another one asked. "Lakers got a SNIPER!" another said. "Ring us I've seen enough," another said. "NOT GONNA SAVE THEM," another said. Dixon played five seasons at Villanova and became a full-time starter in 2021-22. Related: NBA Fans React to Lakers-Timberwolves Trade Related: Warriors NBA Champion Emerges as Potential Lakers Target This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
