Through three games of the 2024-25 season, the Wisconsin Badgers have found a star in transfer wing John Tonje.
UW’s offense took a blow with the departure of top scorer AJ Storr this offseason. With questions surrounding Wisconsin’s No. 1 offensive option looming ahead of this season, Tonje has appeared to fill the void.
Against Holy Cross, Montana State and Appalachian State, Tonje has accumulated 53 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Those totals average to 17.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per appearance.
Tonje’s knack for reaching the free-throw line has also seemed to unlock an essential part of Wisconsin’s offensive attack. At 6-foot-5, the Nebraska native’s frame allows him to create contact against smaller guards and penetrate the paint.
The former Colorado State transfer can score from all three levels of the floor. He’s shooting 50% from beyond the arc, over 94% from the free throw line and over 53% from the field.
How is Wisconsin going to replace AJ Storr?
Missouri transfer John Tonje.
Averaging 17.7 PPG through three games.
This is ONLY November. https://t.co/jsE0gmEW9D
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 10, 2024
A season ago, Storr averaged nearly 17 points and nearly four rebounds in 36 appearances for the Badgers. After electing to withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft, Storr transferred to Kansas for another collegiate opportunity.
The 6-foot-7 playmaker tallied nearly 500 field goal attempts in 2023-24 and was the unquestioned go-to option in Greg Gard’s offensive system. The good news for Badgers fans is that it appears Tonje can pick up a chunk of that slack.