Wednesday’s trade for Walter Clayton Jr. left the Utah Jazz with just one pick in the second round of the NBA draft.
With it, they selected one of the draft’s oldest, but most accomplished players: John Tonje.
After playing four seasons with Colorado State in the Mountain West, Tonje took advantage of extended eligibility rules to play the 2023-24 season at Missouri and the 2024-25 season at Wisconsin.
In Madison, he was one of the nation’s most prolific scorers, with an ability to make jump shots from the outside, then bully his way to the rim on drives inside. The 24-year-old shot more free throws than anyone else in Division 1 college basketball last season, and was named a second-team All-American.
Jazz Vice President of Player Development Avery Bradley said the team was “definitely surprised” that Tonje was still available at the end of the second round.
“We were happy we had our opportunity to pick him: he was someone that we were very high on all year,” Bradley said, adding that new Utah Jazz President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge “was high on him as well.”
The selection of Tonje gives the Jazz three of the most talented shooters in the draft. Ace Bailey, Clayton Jr., and Tonje shot the ball well in NCAA play last year, with the ability to hit both open catch-and-shoot threes and tougher pull-ups against defenses when required.
It appears getting shooting in this draft was a focus for the team’s front office. “That was an emphasis for us,” Bradley said. “We’re just fortunate that every guy that we were able to draft this year, they are very good shooters, and they’re definitely going to bring that skill to our team.”
Beyond the shooting, Tonje said he wants to bring his extensive experience in basketball to the Jazz.
“With time, I’ve experienced more adversity. I know how to handle things, and I know it’s going to be it’s going to be tough, and it’s going to be a road, but it’s something that I’m willing to take on,” he said.
Utah fans may know Tonje best from his final collegiate game against BYU in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. In that game, he kept the Badgers afloat with a remarkable 37-point performance, on 10-of-18 shooting. Remarkable for others, but not for Tonje, he shot 16 free throws in the game.
“There might be a little bit of carryover on the fans from BYU to the Jazz,” Tonje hoped.
Jazz add RJ Luis Jr to two-way contract
After the draft finished, the Jazz added one of the prizes of the undrafted market.
RJ Luis Jr., who played for St. John’s last year, was signed to the Jazz on a two-way contract. Luis Jr. waffled between returning to college basketball via the transfer portal or entering the NBA draft, and ended up choosing the latter despite significant NIL offers. In the end, teams passed on him through both rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.
Luis Jr. was an excellent collegiate player, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, and the question is essentially whether or not his athleticism will translate to the NBA. The Jazz will give him that chance, splitting time between the top club and the G-League Salt Lake City Stars.
The Jazz’s front office comments on Ace Bailey
Bradley also addressed an ESPN report Thursday saying Bailey, the team’s No. 5 pick, was unsure whether he’d report to the Jazz.
“It is my understanding that all of our draft picks are going to be here this weekend and preparing for summer league,” Bradley said.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported his confidence that Ainge would ensure Bailey ends up in a Jazz uniform.
“One thing I will tell you, with confidence, Danny Ainge and his son, Austin, are not going to bend here. They’re not going to get pushed around. They do not care what the situation might bring,” Windhorst said. “So the idea that they’re going to pressure the Jazz into something, I don’t think will be successful for Ace Bailey and his operation. But let’s see how the next 72 hours plays out.”
All of the Jazz’s draft picks are expected to report to the team by Monday for a few days of practice before the Salt Lake City Summer League begins July 5.
