The Timberwolves made a significant move on Wednesday night, selecting Joan Beringer with the 17th overall pick in the NBA draft. This marks the first player acquisition under the new ownership of Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez.
Beringer, a towering 6-foot-11 center from France, is just 18 years old. He will join forces with fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert, adding depth to the Timberwolves' frontcourt.
Interestingly, Beringer’s journey to basketball is unconventional. He grew up playing soccer and only picked up a basketball for the first time in the summer of 2021, spurred on by friends who encouraged him to try out for the sport. His initial foray into basketball led him to join the U17 team for Strasbourg Saint-Joseph Basket.
Last summer, Beringer transitioned to Cedevita Olimpija, where he averaged 5.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over 54 games. His contributions were pivotal in helping the team secure the 2024-25 Slovenian Basketball Cup.
This selection comes shortly after Glen Taylor and his wife Becky bid farewell to the franchise they purchased over three decades ago for $88 million. The NBA recently approved the sale of the Timberwolves to Lore and Rodriguez for a staggering $1.5 billion.
As the Timberwolves embark on this new chapter, Beringer's addition could signal a shift in their competitive landscape, with hopes of building a stronger team around emerging talents.
