Wisconsin Professional Athletes

The End of the Johnny Davis Era

It's officially over. Johnny Davis, the former Wisconsin guard selected 10th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2022 NBA Draft, has left the league after failing to carve out a roster spot in D.C. His departure closes the book on one of the more disappointing chapters in recent Badger NBA history — a lottery pick who never found his footing at the next level.

The Wizards have moved on emphatically. Washington is opening a new era headlined by high-profile arrivals including Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and Deandre Ayton, alongside top prospect AJ Dybantsa. Davis's exit is a footnote to a franchise actively trying to forget its recent missteps — though the sting of a wasted top-10 pick lingers.

For Wisconsin fans, it's a disappointing end to what was supposed to be a marquee alumni success story. Davis was a consensus top prospect coming out of Madison, but the NBA proved a different challenge entirely.

Badgers Still on the Radar

While Davis's NBA story has concluded, Wisconsin still has representation in the league — just not in the spotlight yet.

In Portland, Micah Potter is doing what big men off the bench do: logging minutes and doing the little things. The Trail Blazers big man put up 4 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes during Portland's dominant 124-83 win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, October 22. It was a blowout that flattered everyone in a Blazers uniform, but Potter's ability to stay on the rotation is notable for a player still working to establish himself.

Potter also suited up in Portland's 128-120 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, October 24, though no stat line was recorded — an indication he either didn't see the floor or played sparsely.

John Tonje, the other Wisconsin alum on Portland's roster, was also active against Sacramento on Saturday. Like Potter, Tonje didn't register notable stats in that one, but his continued presence on a Trail Blazers squad signals the program still has a pipeline to the pros.

The Bigger Picture

Wisconsin's NBA class is a tale of two trajectories right now. Davis's departure represents the harsh reality of the draft: top-10 picks are not guaranteed anything, and the margin between star and bust can be razor-thin. Meanwhile, Potter and Tonje — lower-profile prospects without the draft hype — are quietly doing the work to stay employed in the most competitive basketball league on the planet.

Nigel Hayes and Frank Kaminsky remain listed as active alumni on the Phoenix Suns, though neither factored into any reported activity during this stretch.

For Badger fans, the week is a reminder to temper expectations on draft night — and to appreciate the grinders who stick around without the fanfare.

The Davis Era Is Over

For Wisconsin fans who followed Johnny Davis all the way from the Kohl Center to the nation's capital, it's time to close the chapter. The former Badger standout and Washington Wizards first-round pick has officially departed the NBA, ending a professional career that never quite matched the promise of his draft-night moment.

Davis was selected 10th overall by Washington in the 2022 NBA Draft — a high-water mark for Wisconsin basketball and a validation of the explosive guard's standout sophomore season in Madison. The Wizards, rebuilding at the time, bet on his scoring instincts and competitive edge. It didn't pan out. Davis struggled to carve out consistent playing time in the league, and after failing to establish himself on the roster, he's now out of the organization and the NBA entirely.

The timing is notable. Washington enters the 2026-27 season in full reset mode, headlined by blockbuster arrivals including Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and Deandre Ayton. The franchise is, by all appearances, done looking back — and Johnny Davis represents exactly the kind of recent miscalculation it's eager to move past.

For Badger fans, it's a tough reality check. Davis was a legitimate talent at Wisconsin, the kind of player who made a case for himself as a lottery pick through sheer will and shot-making. But the NBA-to-college translation never clicked, and the window has now closed.

Other Badgers in the League

Davis's departure doesn't leave Wisconsin without representation in the NBA. A handful of former Badgers are still active heading into the new season:

Nigel Hayes and Frank Kaminsky are both on the Phoenix Suns roster — a quirky reunion of two players whose Wisconsin careers came years apart but who now share an NBA bench. Hayes, a forward, and Kaminsky, a veteran center, give the Suns a pair of Badger bigs with different but complementary skill sets.

On the West Coast, Micah Potter and John Tonje are both with the Portland Trail Blazers. Potter, a power forward, has bounced around the league but remains on an NBA roster. Tonje, a shooting guard, gives Portland a Wisconsin-bred backcourt option as the Blazers continue their own rebuild.

None of these four generated major news during the Oct. 15–21 window, but their continued presence in the league keeps the Badger pipeline alive — even as Davis's exit serves as a reminder of how unforgiving the NBA can be for even the highest of draft picks.

Wisconsin produced an NBA lottery selection just four years ago. The program's pro prospects are still real. But Johnny Davis's story is now a cautionary one, and Badger fans deserve to know it clearly: he's gone, and the league moves on without him.