Former Wisconsin Star John Tonje Lands 10-Day NBA Deal with Celtics

The move may not lead to immediate playing time for the rookie guard.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Former Wisconsin Badgers standout John Tonje has signed a 10-day NBA contract with the Boston Celtics. While this represents Tonje's first taste of NBA action, the move may actually harm his long-term prospects, as the Celtics are at full health and have a deep wing rotation, making it unlikely Tonje will see significant playing time during his 10-day stint.

Why it matters

Tonje was a standout player for Wisconsin, earning All-American honors in the 2024-25 season. This 10-day contract represents his first opportunity to prove himself at the NBA level, but the Celtics' roster situation may limit his chances to make an impact and showcase his skills.

The details

Tonje was selected 53rd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz before being traded to the Celtics at the trade deadline. He has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the G League, playing alongside former Wisconsin teammates Steven Crowl and Max Klesmit. The Celtics are converting Tonje's two-way contract to a standard 10-day deal, likely as a salary cap move rather than an on-court tactic, as the team is already at full health and has a deep wing rotation.

  • Tonje's 10-day contract with the Celtics was reported on February 19, 2026.

The players

John Tonje

A former standout player for the Wisconsin Badgers, Tonje was selected 53rd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and has spent the 2025-26 season in the G League.

Boston Celtics

The NBA team that has signed Tonje to a 10-day contract, as they look to fill out their roster without exceeding the luxury tax.

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What they’re saying

“The Boston Celtics are converting rookie two-way guard John Tonje to a standard 10-day NBA deal, George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told @hoopshype. Tonje, a former Wisconsin All-American, has been a standout with the Maine Celtics, Boston's G League team.”

— Michael Scotto, Reporter (Hoops Hype)

What’s next

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