Former wing of the University of Wisconsin John Tonje is officially an NBA scorer.
Three days after making his NBA debut with the Boston Celtics, coming four minutes late in a blowout win over Phoenix, Tonje scored his first professional points in Boston’s 148-111 win over Brooklyn on Friday night.
John Tonje just recorded his first career points in the NBA and was greeted with applause on the bench. pic.twitter.com/3NRVHaIGRV
– Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) February 28, 2026
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With 5:10 left, Tonje was fouled on his first offensive possession and made both free throws to extend the Celtics’ lead to 38. He also picked up his first NBA assist on the next possession and then added two defensive rebounds.
“It’s been great” Tonje told MassLive on February 27. “I’m trying to learn on the job. Learn everything I can. It’s been cool being around the people in this program. A lot of high character, talented people. I’m really trying to make the most of it.”
Selected in the second round (No. 53 overall) of the 2025 NBA Draft, Tonje averaged 18.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 total games for the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League this season. He never played for the Jazz when he was acquired by the Celtics on February 5, 2026, in a trade involving future second-round pick Chris Boucher and cash.
According to Hoops rumorsBoston targeted Tonje in this trade because, as a rookie with draft rights, he will count as a rookie minimum player for tax and apron purposes when converted to a standard contract.
The Celtics signed Tonje to a 10-day contract on February 19, making him the only former Wisconsin Badgers player currently on an NBA roster.
“The player development here is incredible,” said Tonje, who is still searching for his first NBA basket (0-for-2 3FG). “I came here and immediately made a plan. We’ve been dealing with it ever since. I feel like I’m in a great place. I’m getting better every day. Getting to know everyone, so it’s great.”
The last player Wisconsin added from the transfer portal last spring, Tonje had one of the best offensive seasons in Wisconsin school history. His 724 points rank second, his 231 free throws and 90.9 free throw percentage rank first, and his 37 points against BYU were the most by a UW player in an NCAA tournament game.
He averaged 25.1 points against ranked teams, had at least 20 points 15 times and scored at least 30 six times en route to earning consensus second-team All-American honors.
