Timberwolves Rookie Joan Beringer Speaks About Learning From Rudy Gobert
Timberwolves Rookie Joan Beringer Speaks About Learning From Rudy Gobert originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Joan Beringer became the Minnesota Timberwolves' first-round pick at the 2025 NBA Draft, bringing a French center who it's believed could replace the team's current center, Rudy Gobert. Beringer is still unpolished and needs development, but he'll have a great mentor in Gobert.
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Beringer, 18, was one of many centers drafted in the first round, and continued a recent trend of selecting French players. This past season, he played for Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpij, where he averaged 4.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
His team was the Slovenian League champion and Cup winner. In addition, Beringer was the 2025 ABA league leader in blocked shots.
Joan Beringer stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 17th pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Soon after the 6-foot-11 big man donned a Timberwolves cap and shook hands with Commissioner Adam Silver on stage, he shared his thoughts about his role with the team.
"My first feeling it's just to give the energy to help the team to be better to improve. This is really important for me," he said in the team's X video.
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Beringer was then asked what he can learn from his new teammate, Rudy Gobert.
"First, because you know I'm a defender like him, I'm like just to have a chance to play with him, to learn from him everyday. Just, you know I'm very happy. I want to immediately start to practice with him and to learn from him," the eager rookie said.
Gobert was drafted at No. 27 in the 2014 Draft at age 21. The French center has since excelled in the league, becoming an imposing defender who is a three-time NBA All-Star and four-team NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Beringer is likely looking to accomplish similar success, and learning from Gobert can definitely help with that quite a bit.
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There's also belief that should Gobert leave the team through a trade or free agency, they'll have a capable replacement moving forward.
The rookie will likely take some time to develop, but Minnesota seems to have some time on their side. With the roster they currently have, they should still be able to compete in the Western Conference while their future roster members learn and improve.
Related: Timberwolves Fans React to Joan Beringer as No. 17 Pick in NBA Draft
Related: Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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