The 2025 NBA draft lottery took place on Monday night. The Dallas Mavericks, against all odds, jumped up to the No. 1 overall pick, where they are likely to select Duke superstar Cooper Flagg.
The San Antonio Spurs will follow at No. 2, the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3, the Charlotte Hornets at No. 4, the Utah Jazz at No. 5, and so on. Wisconsin fans don’t need to focus on that specific order at the top, as the highest-ranked former Badger isn’t projected until the second round.
That player is John Tonje, who is off to the NBA after an All-American season leading the Badgers. The star wing is currently participating in the NBA combine with the hopes of finalizing his draft position.
There is one other main Wisconsin-related story entering NBA draft season: The status of star guard John Blackwell. The rising junior remains declared for the draft as of May 13, although he was not invited to the combine or G League Elite Camp.
Blackwell’s draft decision, which must come by June 15, will significantly impact Wisconsin’s 2025-26 season outlook. The Badgers would be one of the Big Ten’s top contenders with Blackwell in the lineup, starting alongside forward Nolan Winter and an impressive transfer class. That projection would drop dramatically if he departs for the NBA.
For an important look at the stock of each of Wisconsin’s two stars, here is where they land in ESPN’s latest two-round mock draft after Monday’s lottery.
ESPN’s updated NBA draft prediction for Wisconsin stars John Tonje and John Blackwell
John Tonje: Second round, No. 47 to the Milwaukee Bucks
Tonje appears locked in as a mid-second-round pick. At that slot, the All-American wing would represent the opposite of the NBA’s typical second-round overseas developmental selection. Instead, the team that drafts him will be banking on his top-end scoring production translating to the NBA level, at the very least as a three-point shooter off the bench.
Tonje can still improve his stock during NBA combine workouts and scrimmages. But he is off the board in every mock draft projection, meaning his status as a draft pick is safe.
John Blackwell: Not listed (undrafted)
Blackwell, on the other hand, has yet to crack any notable two-round mock drafts. That status is great news for Badgers fans, as it points toward him returning to school for the 2025-26 season. Blackwell may be a better long-term NBA prospect than Tonje. But him not receiving an invite to either the NBA combine or G League Elite Camp, plus missing two-round mock drafts, makes 2026 the more favorable time for him to jump to the professional game.
Blackwell’s return is still not a guarantee. He has another month to test the NBA waters and receive draft-specific feedback before a decision is required.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Where Wisconsin stars John Tonje and John Blackwell stand in post-lottery NBA mock draft
Reporting by Ben Kenney, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
