NBA Draft Prediction Links Pistons to Wisconsin Star John Tonje 🏀

As the NBA Draft looms, mock drafts have signaled rising interest in Wisconsin standout John Tonje, with some projecting a connection to the Detroit Pistons. Tonje, a seasoned 24‑year‑old wing, spent six collegiate years—initially at Missouri before transferring to Wisconsin—and enjoyed a breakout season in Madison, averaging nearly 20 points and 5 rebounds per game on impressive 46/38/91 shooting splits

Initially pegged as a late second‑round choice or even undrafted, Tonje has climbed into the late first‑round territory in several projections. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony currently slots him at No. 42 to the Sacramento Kings, while The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie places him at 37th overall—the Pistons’ own second‑round pick. On3’s recent mock goes further by directly linking him to Detroit, forecasting the Pistons selecting him in Round 2.

Tonje offers a polished offensive toolkit built to complement the Pistons’ ongoing rebuild around Cade Cunningham. His standout trait is efficiency: a sharpshooter who knocked down 39% of his threes and over 90% at the line last season. His maturity and basketball IQ—hallmarks of a six‑year college career—make him a potential plug‑and‑play off‑ball option within Detroit’s second unit.

However, Tonje isn’t without reservations. At 24, he’s older than typical rookies, and scouts voice concerns about his athleticism and defensive upside. Yet, his positional size (6′5″ wing), core shooting, and rebounding reliability could make him an ideal depth addition for a franchise emphasizing “optionality” this offseason under VP Trajan Langdon

Detroit holds the 37th pick—its sole selection—after trading away its first‑round spot as part of its long‑term rebuild strategy . Analysts view that spot as pivotal; the Pistons might either draft Tonje or explore trade options to move up in Round 2. The Athletic also notes Detroit’s renewed focus on flexibility in the offseason, reinforcing the intrigue around their second‑round decision

While still a long shot for Day 1, Tonje’s upward momentum and specific skill set—efficient shooting, maturity, positional size—make him a viable candidate in Detroit’s draft calculus. If the Pistons opt for a savvy, low-risk developmental wing, Tonje fits the bill. As draft night (June 25–26) approaches, expect mounting scrutiny of Detroit’s second‑round strategy and how it aligns with this Wisconsin sharpshooter