Year of self-reflection and 'five minutes' of film brought John Tonje to Wisconsin

The journey to Madison

John Tonje's path to the University of Wisconsin men's basketball program has been an unconventional one, to say the least. After graduating from high school in his native Norway, Tonje took a year off to travel and reflect on his future. It was during this time that he stumbled upon a five-minute highlight film of Wisconsin's 2015 NCAA Tournament run.

Tonje was immediately drawn to the Badgers' style of play, which he described as "fast-paced and exciting." He also admired the team's camaraderie and the way they played together. "I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of this program," Tonje said.

A chance encounter

Tonje reached out to the Wisconsin coaching staff and eventually earned a scholarship offer. He enrolled at UW in the fall of 2016 and has been a valuable member of the team ever since. Tonje is a versatile forward who can play both inside and outside. He is a skilled shooter and rebounder, and he also has a good feel for the game.

Tonje has played in 30 games for the Badgers this season, averaging 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He has also started four games, including the Badgers' NCAA Tournament game against Oregon.

Tonje is grateful for the opportunity to play basketball at Wisconsin. He said that he has learned a lot both on and off the court. "I've learned about the importance of hard work, dedication, and teamwork," Tonje said. "I've also learned how to be a better leader and a better person."