A trio of Badgers all ended up with the same G-League team after their days in Madison, and one former Wisconsin star is already in rarified air.
John Tonje, Steven Crowl and Max Klesmit all signed with the Utah Jazz' G-League team, the Salt Lake City Stars, after graduating from Wisconsin. So far, Crowl and Klesmit have played sparingly, averaging just 1.3 and 1.2 points per game respectively. But Tonje, much like he did at Wisconsin, has played on another level.
So far this season, Tonje is averging 17.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, but the most impressive part of his numbers have been is immaculate shooting. Right now, Tonje is shooting 51.6% from the field, 40.8% from three and 92.1% at the free throw line, making him one of very few to have a chance at shooting the holy grail of 50/40/90 for a season.
Former Badger John Tonje is lighting up the G-League
Tonje is just one of eight players in the G-League right now who are shooting above the 50/40/90 marks. It shouldn't come as a surprise to Badger fans though, as Tonje was very close to the milestone in his lone season in Madison. With Wisconsin he shot 47% from the field, 39% from three, and 91% at the charity stripe.
Tonje is certainly playing well enough to potentially earn some time up in the NBA ranks. His shooting ability has obviously followed him to the pro level, and at 11-19, the Jazz could use an offensive injection.
While Crowl and Klesmit have yet to make a huge impact as pros, Tonje is showing everyone why he was so loved in Wisconsin, even though his time there lasted just one season.