Inside The Jazz

Utah Jazz Rookie Ruled Out of Summer League Game vs. 76ers

The Utah Jazz will be without one of their newly-selected rookies against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Mar 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) in the second half  against the Michigan State Spartans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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The Utah Jazz will be without one of their three rookies selected during last week's draft for their first summer league showing against the Philadelphia 76ers.

According to the Jazz's latest injury report, Utah's 53rd-overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, John Tonje, will be inactive for Saturday's game against the 76ers with a right ankle sprain.

Per the Jazz's report, Tonje will join alongside two-way signee RJ Luis Jr. (left knee soreness) and Cam McGriff (left ankle soreness) on the sidelines for their first summer league contest of the month.

The Jazz will get the first of three Salt Lake City Summer League games kicked off on Saturday night, facing against third-overall pick VJ Edgecome and the 76ers, while also getting the first look at fifth-overall pick Ace Bailey and 18th pick Walt Clayton Jr. since joining Utah last week as well,

However, it'll inevitably have to wait for at least one more game before Tonje gets his debut in a Jazz uniform, as he'll be nursing his ankle injury on Saturday.

Tonje was selected in the second-round by the Jazz after being a six-year college player, spending his most recent campaign with Wisconsin as one of the more prolific, experienced scorers in the class.

During his most recent season with the Badgers, Tonje averaged a team-high 19.6 points a night, along with 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 46.5% shooting from the field and 38.8% from three-point range. Before his one season at Wisconsin, he had been a four-year player with Colorado State and spent eight games with Missouri in 2024 before ultimately transferring after one season.

Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) shoots the ball against Montana Grizzlies guard Money Williams (0)
Mar 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) shoots the ball against Montana Grizzlies guard Money Williams (0) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Tonje will have two more tries to get ready for the Jazz's Salt Lake City Summer League, but if not, he'll look to have a chance to get right ahead of Utah's appearance in Las Vegas later next week.

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Jared Koch
JARED KOCH

Jared Koch is the deputy editor of Utah Jazz On SI. He's covered the NBA and NFL for the past two years, contributing to Denver Broncos On SI, Indianapolis Colts On SI, and Sacramento Kings On SI. He has covered multiple NBA and NFL events on site, and his works have also appeared on Bleacher Report, MSN, and Yahoo.

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