(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin men’s basketball graduate student John Tonje was named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association 2024-25 Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List on Monday as one of 50 Division I players in the country recognized for the honor.
The Oscar Robertson Trophy has been awarded to the nation’s top player since 1959, as selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. The award is the oldest of its kind.
The Midseason Watch List includes a list of 50 players that the association’s board recognizes as contenders for National Player of the Year. The award will be announced during the NCAA Men’s Final Four from April 5-7, with a final watch list and ballot released earlier.
In his first season with Wisconsin, Tonje is enjoying a career season for the Badgers – leading the team with 18.6 points per game. He ranks in the top 10 of the country in both free throws made and free throw percentage. Tonje is also currently third in the Big Ten, shooting 45.6% from 3-point range during conference play and second on the B1G averaging 2.8 3FGs per game during league action.
Tonje has been on a tear over the last four games, topping 20 points in all four and averaging 25.3 ppg over that stretch. Since Jan. 21, Tonje is second in the nation in scoring (25.3 ppg) and tied for the most 3-pointers (21) in the NCAA. He has also hit at least five 3-point FGs in each of the last four games, shooting 21-for-37 (.568) from deep over that stretch. Tonje is the first Badger to hit 5+ triples in four consecutive games since at least 2004-05 and the only B1G player to do so this season.
The Omaha, Nebraska-native scored 41 points earlier this season in a victory over No. 9 Arizona, the fourth-most in program history, and his 21 made free throws set a new Wisconsin record.
A Wisconsin player previously won the award in 2015, when Frank Kaminsky took home the honors after leading the Badgers to a NCAA Championship game appearance.
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