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Former Wisconsin star John Tonje is set to work out with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, in advance of the NBA draft later this month.
With roughly two weeks remaining until the draft, slated for June 25 and June 26 in Brooklyn, New York, Tonje will venture to California for a workout with a potential suitor. In addition to Tonje, the Kings will also work out Jeremy Roach (Baylor), Caleb Love (Arizona), Jaxson Robinson (Kentucky), Great Osobor (Washington) and C.J. Huntley (Appalachian State) on Wednesday, according to ESPN1320 host and Kings beat writer James Ham.
Sacramento possesses the No. 42 overall pick in the second round, a slot that would make sense for the North Omaha, Nebraska, native.
In ESPN’s post-combine mock draft, the former Badger was selected No. 48 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. In late May, the wing was forecasted to go No. 41 by The Athletic, No. 40 by Yahoo Sports, No. 47 by Bleacher Report and No. 48 by the Sporting News.
The Kings’ selection could make sense considering the franchise’s depth at the position. Sacramento currently starts Zach LaVine at shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan at small forward and Keegan Murray at power forward. All three players figure to be locks in the starting five ahead of the 2025-26 season, but those who suit up behind them are more of a question.
Bench assets Keon Ellis, Trey Lyles and Jake LaRavia receive a healthy chunk of minutes in the Kings’ second unit, but the organization could use an extra scoring lift when both LaVine and DeRozan leave the floor. Given Tonje’s performance during his final collegiate season in Madison, he fits the bill.
At Wisconsin in 2024-25, Tonje averaged just under 20 points per appearance while shooting 46.5% from the floor, 38.8% from outside and 90.9% from the charity stripe. He showed out in the biggest games, including a 37-point barrage vs. BYU in the NCAA Tournament, a 32-point output against Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament and a 41-point game against Arizona in November.
Night two of the 2025 NBA draft will be held on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN. Barring a major scouting development, Badger enthusiasts can expect Tonje’s name to be called that night.
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