Latest news with #JoanBeringer
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5 hours ago
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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. Advertisement 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 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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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7 hours ago
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Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement Joan Beringer
Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement Joan Beringer originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves' selection of Joan Beringer could be a harbinger for what's ahead for Rudy Gobert. Advertisement Selected with the 17th overall pick the day before Gobert's 34th birthday, Beringer, an 18-year-old Frenchman, could be the heir apparent to Gobert's place at the heart of the Timberwolves defense. Beringer has a unique blend of size, mobility and has great hands for picking up the game of basketball just four years ago. However, his inexperience and raw talent have made him one of the draft's biggest mysteries. Gobert, who turns 34 on June 26, signed a three-year $110 million extension last year that will keep him under contract through the 2027-28 season. He'll be 36 years old in the final year of that deal. Advertisement While Beringer could be the reason the Timberwolves move on from Gobert one day, he'll play understudy to the four-time Defensive Player of the Year for now. Meanwhile, the elder Frenchman took to X after the Wolves selected Beringer on June 25. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27)Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Just minutes after Beringer's selection, Gobert posted a series of emojis along prayer hands (or high-fives) and a wolf. Facing questions about Naz Reid, who has a player option in his contract this summer, the Timberwolves gained some security at backup center. In NBC Sports' final mock draft, the outlet argued that Reid's shortcomings on defense could be reason for Beringer to begin seeing playing time as a developmental rim protector. Advertisement Overall, the selection of Beringer will not see its final valuation until years down the line, considering his young age. Related: Timberwolves Fans React to Joan Beringer as No. 17 Pick in NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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7 hours ago
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Timberwolves Intend to Keep Joan Beringer After NBA Draft
Timberwolves Intend to Keep Joan Beringer After NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves backloaded their frontcourt with the selection of 18-year-old French center Joan Beringer in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Advertisement But how does he figure into a loaded Wolves roster that already has sidelined many developing talents outside its nine-man rotation? Beringer is the prototypical draft-and-stash asset, having come over from Europe. He started playing basketball just four years ago and is considered one of the rawest talents in the 2025 draft class after averaging just 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds for Cedevita Olimpija in the Slovenian First League. Ricky Rubio took to becoming a face of the franchise, playing two years for Barcelona after the Timberwolves drafted him in 2009 before joining the team. However, there are other plans for Beringer. 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 Penner-Imagn Images Shortly after the Wolves selected Beringer 17th overall on June 25, insider Dane Moore reported that Beringer "will not be a draft-and-stash, per source. He will be here in Minnesota next season." According to Moore, Beringer will be much closer to the team, which bodes well for the Rudy Gobert succession plan. Advertisement Gobert offered his approval of the move on X after Beringer was selected, and the younger Frenchman also offered his flowers to the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. "Amazing. I'm very happy, also to play with Rudy Gobert. It's an amazing feeling. I'm very happy," Beringer said, per The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. Beringer could spend time bouncing between the Iowa Wolves and the Timberwolves; however, his development appears to be tantamount to Tim Connelly's plans for the franchise by keeping him in the states on the hip of Gobert. Related: Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement Related: Timberwolves Projected to Gamble on Joan Beringer in NBA Mock Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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7 hours ago
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Timberwolves Projected to Gamble on Joan Beringer in NBA Mock Draft
Timberwolves Projected to Gamble on Joan Beringer in NBA Mock Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2025 NBA Draft searching for the right pieces for their puzzle. After the team nearly reached the NBA Finals the past two postseasons, their priority is to keep building a talented roster around star Anthony Edwards. Advertisement That may start with securing some of the players they currently have, including Naz Reid and Julius Randle. They have player options in their contracts to opt into or out of to test free agency, but the team would prefer to keep them on the roster. There's also the potential for trades, which are likely to arrive during the NBA Draft. Minnesota holds the No. 17 pick, and could decide to shop that with a few roster members to add another star player with Edwards. Some fans and analysts may believe drafting or trading for a veteran point guard is a priority due to Mike Conley's age. Others believe that the Wolves should stick with who they have for now, and draft a backup big man for the future. French draft prospect Joan Beringer dunking the ball during One prospect recently linked to Minnesota is French center Joan Beringer. The 18-year-old is listed at 6-foot-11 without shoes and played for Cedevita Olimpija this past season. Advertisement He could be a gamble for any team to draft, due to a small sample size which shows he's still improving his skills on offense. Beringer averaged just 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds during his international play in Slovenia. On they mention his 7-foot-2 wingspan, and a "blend of size, mobility, and defensive upside" seemingly have him rising up the draft board ahead of the event. However, they also refer to Beringer as the draft's biggest "mystery" due to various teams wondering if he's worth the early risk. In NBC Sports' new mock draft, they contend that Gobert's primary backup, Reid, isn't the best defender. NBC Sports suggests that Beringer would be the sort of player that the Timberwolves could draft to develop as a backup rim protector. Beringer hadn't popped up with the Wolves in many NBA mock drafts, and was instead predicted to go to several teams above them. In ESPN's mock draft, NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony projects the San Antonio Spurs will select him with the No. 14 pick, while NBADraft suggested he could go at No. 15 to the Thunder. Advertisement If he falls to the Wolves, he seems like a risk worth taking, as he's considered the best shot blocker in the draft. ESPN also mentioned his measurements at 18 are similar to those of current pros Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner. If Beringer is not available, there's been a variety of prospects named in mock drafts as the Timberwolves' projected pick at No. 17. They've included Georgetown's Thomas Sorber, UConn's Liam McNeeley, Maryland Derik Queen, and Georgia's Asa Newell. At the Timberwolves' subreddit, fans continue to debate whether they'd rather see the team select a talented guard, wing, or big man in the draft. There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus, as anything could happen. Advertisement A lot will depend on how things shake out after the first three picks, and whether or not there are trades down the line. Minnesota will certainly have some intriguing options, should they keep their pick on Wednesday night. Related: Anthony Edwards is Among Jeremiah Fears' Most Anticipated NBA Opponents Related: NBA Mock Draft Predicts Timberwolves Will Pick UConn's Liam McNeeley This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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7 hours ago
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Timberwolves Fans React to Joan Beringer as No. 17 Pick in NBA Draft
Timberwolves Fans React to Joan Beringer as No. 17 Pick in NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With the 17th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Joan Beringer. That has some fans buzzing and others wondering if he will be worth the gamble. Advertisement Beringer, an 18-year-old French center, arrives after weeks of speculation about the Timberwolves' roster. In particular, it seems they're adding to their frontcourt with a potential successor for Rudy Gobert in the lineup. Ahead of the NBA Draft, Beringer is someone who was rising up the mock drafts online, but some considered him a "mystery" and a gamble for teams to take. That was due to his limited stats from one season of international play with Cedevita Olimpija. In his brief international play with Cedevita Olimpija, Beringer averaged just 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The team won the Slovenian League championship, and Beringer led the ABA League in blocks, showing his defensive skills. Brad Penner-Imagn Images An profile lists Beringer with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and touts his explosive game and "elite length." They refer to the French big man as a 'late bloomer' who stands out on the defensive side of the court, which as many fans know is where Rudy Gobert excelled in his career. Advertisement On Wednesday night, Beringer was among the prospects attending the NBA Draft and seated in the green room. Once his name was called, things became real as he put on the Timberwolves cap and shook hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "Welcome to Minnesota, Joan!" a simple introductory greeting said in the Timberwolves' X post. It quickly prompted many likes and comments from fans reacting to the big announcement. Several fans seemed to agree with this pick as a potential replacement at center for one of the team's current players. "I like this pick. Naz Reid replacement," one fan commented on X. Advertisement "Welcome!!! Future center of the wolves once Gobert is gone. W pick," another fan commented. "Respect to Rudy for sitting down with the Wolves and selecting his replacement," yet another fan wrote on X. Not all fans were happy with the pick, as some argued there was a better available player for the Timberwolves. "Jakucionis was there. Beringer would be a decent pick if he were gone but you gotta take the best player available," an X commenter said. With Beringer, it seems that Minnesota will likely develop him behind Gobert as he's considered a better defensive player than Reid. However, there's still also a chance that Minnesota is cooking up some sort of trade involving Gobert, Reid, or someone else. Advertisement There were more than a few NBA mock drafts projecting the Wolves would opt for a big man in Wednesday's first round. Others suggested they might take Georgetown's Thomas Sorber, but he was already off the board as the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the 15th pick. Related: Timberwolves Projected to Gamble on Joan Beringer in NBA Mock Draft Related: NBA Mock Draft Suggests Timberwolves Pick Rudy Gobert's Replacement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
