Wisconsin’s top rookie had a day in his NBA debut.
The long-awaited NBA debut for former Wisconsin Badgers star John Tonje came on Monday, and it’s safe to say he didn’t disappoint.
Making his first appearance for the Utah Jazz after being sidelined for the past few weeks with a right ankle sprain, Tonje started and immediately stood out. He scored 16 points on 5/9 from the field, including 4/7 from three in just 23 minutes of action. He also got to the free throw line on a pair of trips, connecting on 2/4 of his shots at the charity stripe.
Tonje was a booming +15 in the box score, which was tied for the highest with Kyle Filipowski for the Jazz in the 93-91 overtime loss to the Spurs.
When on the court, it was clear the Jazz were looking to create plays for the Badgers rookie all the way down to the last minutes. With Utah down two and under a minute to go in the fourth quarter, the Jazz created an open three-pointer look for Tonje coming off a screen on an out-of-bounds play, which was money.
The game ended up going into overtime, which is only two minutes in the summer league, with the Jazz losing by two in a close game.
Regardless, Tonje was a major spark in his first NBA game, showing off the shotmaking ability that made him a star at Wisconsin. The rookie also piled on three rebounds and three assists, while recording one steal and five fouls in his debut.
Tonje and the Jazz will take on the Washington Wizards on Wednesday evening next, with the Badgers rookie potentially on a minutes restriction once again as he recovers from his ankle issue.