The2026 NBA trade deadlineis already in the past, and before that deadline lapsed on Thursday, a former Wisconsin Badgers star changed teams. John Tonje, who played for Wisconsin in the 2024-25 college basketball season, was sent by the Utah Jazz to the Boston Celtics in exchange for big man Chris Boucher.
The Jazz selected Tonje in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, but he has yet to see action in an official NBA game. He wasinked by Utah to a two-way contract. In 18 games with the G League team Salt Lake City Stars, Tonje averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals, while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from behind the arc on 6.5 3-point attempts per contest.
Following the trade, the Celtics welcomed Tonje with a short message on social media.
Welcome to Boston, @johntonje1 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/EiF8dIMcaW
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 5, 2026
Ex-Wisconsin basketball star Tonje is now a Celtic
It remains to be seen if Tonje will get to make his NBA debut sooner rather than later with the Celtics. In any case, Wisconsin basketball fans should get a kick once he finally enters a game in the big leagues.
The 24-year-old Tonje played his first four seasons in college basketball with the Colorado State Rams before entering the transfer portal and transferring to the Missouri Tigers.
However, an injury limited him to only eight games with Mizzou. He hit the transfer portal again and landed with the Badgers. In his only campaign with Wisconsin basketball in the 2024-25 season, he averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists while knocking down 46.5 percent of his attempts from the floor.
Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) listens to head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Oregon beat Wisconsin 77-73 in overtime.
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