NBA draft: Jazz take Wisconsin's Tonje in 2nd round — and they expect Bailey to report

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz got a little bit older with their second-round pick.

The Jazz took one of the oldest players in the class, selecting former Wisconsin forward John Tonje with the No. 53 pick Thursday in the NBA draft.

Tonje, 24, averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in his sixth collegiate year last season with the Badgers. He started his career at Colorado State, playing four seasons with Rams, before moving to Missouri and finishing up his long collegiate career in Madison.

"We're excited to add him to our team," Jazz vice president of player development Avery Bradley said. "We feel like not only is he going to bring a lot of leadership, he has great strength, great shooting ability; he's a very smart player. He played extremely well when he came in for the workout."

In his final game in college — a loss to BYU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament — Tonje scored 37 points.

"There might be a little bit of carryover on the fans from BYU to the Jazz," Tonje said.

With Tonje on board, Utah used each of its draft picks to pick a talented shooter. Tonje averaged 38% from 3-point range on nearly six attempts per game last season, making him one of the best deep threats in the NCAA.

Utah took Ace Bailey, the draft's premier wing scorer, and Walter Clayton Jr., a near-40% 3-point shooter, in Wednesday's first round.

And that wasn't by coincidence.

"That was an emphasis for us," Bradley said. "We're just fortunate that every guy that we were able to draft this year, they are very good shooters, and they're definitely going to bring that skill to our team."

If he makes the team, Tonje can bring some experience, too. That may sound odd to say about a rookie, but Tonje is older than Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier.

"I think at the age that he's at, he's improved every single year, and he knows, understands what it takes to, you know, fight through adversity," Bradley said. "So I think he can add a lot of that perspective for our younger guys."

Ace Bailey reporting?

ESPN reported — or at least speculated — on Thursday about whether or not Ace Bailey would report to Utah after being taken with the No. 5 pick. The discussion came on the heels of a report that Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, had told a team picking in the top five not to take his client.

Cooper also declined to address questions about the Jazz or Bailey's future with the franchise.

The Jazz, though, don't seem concerned.

"It is my understanding that all of our draft picks are going to be here this weekend and preparing for summer league," Bradley said.

Utah will host a press conference in the next couple of days with the new picks before training camp for Summer League opens next week. All three of the Jazz's picks are expected to play in Summer League.

It should be noted that none of this seems to be coming from Bailey himself, who was cordial and appreciative during his post-draft interviews.

"Just a blessing," he said after being drafted. "The little kid in me is smiling hard right now, because I know the hard work, the sacrifice, the blood, the sweat, the tears not just for me but my family put into this. The little kid in me is just smiling at me right now, so I'm just blessed to be here."

Bailey also connected with head coach Will Hardy and team president Austin Ainge shortly after being drafted Wednesday, expressing nothing but excitement about beginning his career in Utah.

When asked about the conversation with Ainge, Bailey told Jazz sideline reporter Lauren Green, "It was great because he made a great decision. ... He knows when I get there, it's time to work."

As for any potential holdout, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said that's not a game that the Ainge's would likely lose.

"They're not going to get pushed around. They do not care what the situation might bring," Windhorst said. "So the idea that they're going to pressure the Jazz into something, I don't think will be successful for Ace Bailey and his operation. But let's see how the next 72 hours plays out."

Jazz land Big East's best player

The Jazz didn't stand pat following the draft.

The team signed St. John's star RJ Luis Jr. to a two-way contract after the second round was completed, according to multiple reports.

Luis turned down big-money NIL deals to remain in the draft but went undrafted following a stellar season where he was named the Big East Player of the Year. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds as the best player on a St. John's team that was the second seed in the NCAA Tournament.

NBA teams, though, obviously have doubts over how his game will translate to the NBA. But at least he'll get a chance with the Jazz.

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