The Timberwolves' Rookies Are Excited To Play For The Team
The Minnesota Timberwolves selected two promising big men in the 2025 NBA Draft, Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. They spoke to the media in their introductory press conference on Monday morning.
Advertisement
As the Timberwolves' only incoming rookies for the 2025-26 season, Beringer and Zikarsky look forward to playing for the team. At the same time, they are excited to be part of an organization where they can develop.
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Rudy Gobert remains the Timberwolves' best big man, but they are also preparing for the long-term future. With these two rookies, Gobert has some students to mentor.
Beringer stands at 6'11" and Zikarsky at 7'3". Gobert will be an important figure for these two players. He is the most crucial person for the rookie duo, but they are also ecstatic to be part of the organization alongside some players they admire.
Advertisement
Related: Tim Connelly Reveals Timberwolves' Goals With Drafting Rocco Zikarsky and Joan Beringer
The Rookies Are Ecstatic To Be Part Of The Timberwolves Organization
As they enter their rookie seasons, Beringer and Zikarsky will probably not play heavy minutes. However, they will be learning well from their teammates, particularly Gobert.
However, they are joining an inclusive team where every player enjoys basketball. With Anthony Edwards as the team's superstar and leader, the rookie year should be fun for both players.
Beringer is glad to be playing alongside Edwards in the upcoming season, while Zikarsky is eager to learn from his teammates.
Advertisement
"It's a player whom I watched for two to three years. He is an active player who can do everything on the court. To have a chance to play with a player like him, it's amazing," Beringer said in the presser.
"I think the thing that excites me the most is the atmosphere and how the team plays. I've been lucky enough to see a couple of games, and I really enjoy watching them out on the floor," Zikarsky said about his excitement. "I'm most excited to learn from Rudy. Defensive MVP four times. To me, that's what I like, I like playing defense."
The Timberwolves Have A Bright Future With The Rookies
Beringer and Zikarsky are still raw prospects, but the president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, and his scouts did a great job. These are two promising athletes who can thrive in the Timberwolves' environment.
Advertisement
Both players will benefit from playing in the G-League's Iowa Wolves. They will also benefit from Gobert's mentorship. The future is bright if they keep learning from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Apart from their relationship with Gobert, the rest of the team should be happy with their arrival. They are both elite athletes, so playing with Timberwolves players with a similar level of athleticism can be a learning experience.
The rookies are eager to learn and produce big-time numbers, which is a good attitude ahead of their first season. Coach Chris Finch should be pleased with what he has seen from this duo.
Advertisement
Related: Joan Beringer Gets Rave Reviews From Timberwolves President Tim Connelly
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Texas A&M EDGE reportedly leaves minicamp following contract dispute with Bengals
The drama between former Texas A&M EDGE and the Cincinnati Bengals has escalated on Thursday morning, as the rookie has reportedly left mandatory minicamp. Since being drafted by the Bengals with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the relationship between former Aggie Shemar Stewart and the AFC North franchise has been anything but pleasant. The ongoing contract conflicts have prevented Stewart from participating, despite his attendance at team activities without a signed contract. Advertisement According to reports from NFL Draft and college football analyst Jordan Reid, if negotiations continue to trend downward, Stewart could opt not to play in 2025 and find a new team in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Stewart officially leaving minicamp, the rift between the Miami, Florida, native and the Bengals continues to grow larger. When speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Stewart expressed his frustrations toward the franchise's constant pursuit of setting a new precedent with rookie contracts moving forward. "I'm 100 percent right. I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before," Stewart said. "But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games. I can't say what I really want to say, but it's their contract. They can do what they want with it." Some would interpret Stewart's comments as harsh for a rookie entering his first year dealing with a professional football franchise in this matter. However, he is a game-changer when he steps on the field and could rejuvenate a defensive unit that ranked 25th overall last season. Advertisement His ability to contribute heavily to a defense was proven during his time at Texas A&M, where Stewart made the All-SEC team twice and recorded 65 total tackles (30 solo tackles), 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Beyond his statistics, the 6-foot-6, 290-pounder brings an athleticism that is unmatched by most defensive players in this year's draft class. Stewart completed the NFL Combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds, with a 40" vertical and a 10'11" broad jump. Most media members and fans of the Cincinnati Bengals believed that Stewart would make an immediate impact on the gridiron, given his athletic abilities, which were showcased against SEC competition during his three years with the Aggies. For now, it appears that the franchise will remain committed to setting a new precedent for rookies. This would allow front offices to avoid putting guaranteed money into rookie contracts, in case the relationship deteriorated and eventually fell apart due to injury, a clash of personalities, or other potential conflicts deemed detrimental to the franchise. Advertisement This is the main conflict between the Bengals' rookie and the organization, with Stewart fearing that he will lose out on money in his contract due to any potential injuries or mishaps in minicamp, should Cincinnati decide to move on or renegotiate the terms under this new umbrella. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: EDGE Shemar Stewart leaves minicamp due to ongoing contract dispute
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas A&M defensive lineman ranked in USA TODAY College Wire Top 50 players in 2025
As one of the anchors of the Texas A&M football program's defensive line, Cashius Howell was named as the No. 46 player on USA TODAY's College Wire Top 50 for the 2025 season. The junior from Kansas City, Missouri, recorded 40 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble in 2024. Howell's string of incredible performances, standing by the side of future National League Football players like Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton, and Shemar Stewart, instantly made him one of the most important players to retain in the offseason for head coach Mike Elko's Aggie defense. Advertisement Here is what College Sports Wire's managing editor and lead writer, Tyler Nettuno analyzed about Howell's game in the official release on Thursday: "Howell has good size for an edge player, and it allowed him to thrive in the JACK role at Texas A&M last season. He finished second on the team in sacks while sharing the field with a pair of future NFL edge rushers, and he showed off his versatility in pass coverage with seven passes defended and his lone interception. He should become one of the SEC's premier pass-rushing threats in 2025." Before he arrived in Aggieland, Howell was an anchor for the Bowling Green defensive line from 2021 to 2023. He recorded 56 total tackles (27 solo tackles), 13.0 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks in 30 appearances for the Falcons. Howell also earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2023 for leading the league with 9.5 sacks, which was tied for 16th nationally. Following his stint with the Falcons, he transferred to Texas A&M and immediately made his presence felt on the gridiron in Bryan-College Station, Texas. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound wrecking ball wreaked havoc and caused nightmares for opposing offensive lines last season. Now, with a plethora of talented former Aggies departing, Howell will be called upon to help lead this defensive unit heading into its second year under Elko. Advertisement Not only will his contributions be integral to Texas A&M's success, but his as well. Among the breakdown of what he brings to the table this season, Nettuno also discussed his prospects and where Howell could end up hearing his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft. "Howell enters the season drawing largely mid-round (late Day 2 or early Day 3) draft interest heading into the season, but he has the opportunity to boost his stock quite a bit as he enters the spotlight this fall. If Howell can show he's more than just a threat off the edge on passing downs, he has the chance to sneak into the second or even possibly first round." Time will tell if Howell can propel himself to becoming a first-round draft pick next year. For now, he will need to focus on honing his craft and preparing to lead the Aggies through the challenges of the SEC. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M DL Cashius Howell makes USA TODAY College Wire Top 50 list
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas A&M senior ranked as one of the top returning Edge rushers per Pro Football Focus
Texas A&M's defense will be led by several players in 2025, including senior edge Cashius Howell, who is considered one of the top pass rushers nationally after his impressive debut with the Aggies in 2024. After serving as a rotational defensive lineman/edge behind Shemar Stewart, who the Cincinnati Bengals drafted with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Howell has become one of the Aggies' most essential players on the roster, as A&M's pass rush dropped off significantly during the program's 1-4 finish to the 2024 campaign. Advertisement Standing at 6'4" and over 250 pounds, Howell recorded 26 tackles, four sacks, and seven pass deflections during his first season with the Aggies, while he dominated USC's offensive line during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl in late December. Possessing the size, speed, and pass rush arsenal to lead the Aggies in sacks and pressures next season, it's important to note that Howell has already proven his worth as a pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, Howell enters the 2025 campaign as the fifth-highest rated edge (82.4), just a spot below Texas edge Collin Simmons, who is considered the best pass rusher in the country by many. With coach Mike Elko now calling defensive plays for the Aggies next season, Howell will line up off the edge, but will be deployed as the primary rusher in different packages, especially in third-down situations. Texas A&M's defensive line will feature four new edge rushers from the transfer portal. In contrast, freshman edge Marco Jones, who dominated during the Maroon & White spring game, could also make an immediate impact and is slated to see early playing time. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's Cashius Howell is PFF's 5th-ranked returning Edge rusher
