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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves were VERY quiet in the 2012 NBA Draft. There were rumblings leading up to the draft and throughout the four hour process (that is the NBA Draft). Rumors of Derrick Williams to the Charlotte Bobcats for the #2 pick (to select Bradley Beal...eventually went #3 to the Wizards). It was reported that, that deal was offered, BUT quickly rejected by the Bobcats. Then as the draft went on and we got into the 20's of the first round, there was talk of Minnesota trying to trade into the late first-round (likely to try and nab Syracuse center Fab Melo...who went #22 to the Boston Celtics). As we carried on into the second round, the TWolves fans I follow on Twitter were pleading that Minnesota trade up and select guys like: Jae Crowder (#49 to Dallas), Quincy Miller (#38 to Denver) and Will Barton (#40 to Portland). Instead, the Minnesota Timberwolves stayed put at #58. The 58th overall pick was their only selection in this year's draft and they went with...Purdue forward Robbie Hummel. Hummel is a 6-8/6-9 forward, 215lbs. and 23 years old. As a freshman, Hummel averaged 11.4ppg (2nd on Team), 6.1rpg (1st on Team) and 2.5apg. During his freshman season, he broke the school record (for a freshman) in three-point field-goal percentage: at 44.7%, while also leading the Big Ten Conference. He also recorded the highest free-throw percentage in school history at 86.5%. He was named First Team All-Big Ten and was one of twenty-four John R. Wooden Award finalists and of ten finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy. The Boilers finished the season, 25-9 overall. As a sophomore, Hummel averaged around 13ppg (3rd on Team) and 7rpg (1st on Team). He was named the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. He won back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week honors in the month of December. Hummel then began to battle with back spasms and a broken vertebra, which kept him out of five games as well as from practices. He came back in limited minutes, but had to wear a back brace. Hummel still led the Boilers to their first Big Ten Tournament championship in school history and was named the MVP of the tournament. They followed that with a third-straight NCAA tournament appearance and the program's Sweet Sixteen appearance in nine years. Despite all the injuries and him missing four conference games, he was named to the Third-Team All Big Ten. As a junior, Hummel was selected as one of fifty players as a preseason John R. Wooden Award candidate (along with teammate [and current Boston Celtic] E'Twaun Moore). He was also selected as one of thirty finalists for the Naismith Award. Robbie was named to the 2009 Paradise Jam All-Tournament Team. In a game on February 24th vs. Minnesota, Hummel injured his right knee after slipping while attempting to plant his foot, it was reported in the days following that he torn his ACL and would miss the rest of the season. He averaged 15.7ppg (2nd on Team), 6.9rpg (1st on Team), 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, 2.1apg, shot 45.6% from the field, 36.4% from deep and 90.2% from the line. He was named to the First Team All-Big Ten, also named a Fox Sports Third-Team All-American, a State Farm & NABC Second Team All-American and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. Hummel received knee surgery and was out for 4-6 months! As a senior, Robbie was expected to return for his senior season. At team practice on October 16th, Hummel tore the same ACL and was forced to sit out and serve as an assistant for the 2010-11 season. Prior to the injury, Robbie was predicted as a Preseason Second Team All-American by much of the media. Hummel returned for a fifth year and was a red-shirted senior. He was named as one of the fifty candidates for the John R. Wooden award, prior to the season. On December 3rd, vs. Xavier, Hummel suffered from cramps and dehydration, which caused him to fall to the floor in the last minute of the game. Hummel led the Boilers with 16.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.2bpg and also averaged 2.0apg & 0.7spg. Following the regular season, Hummel was selected to the First Team All-Big Ten for the third time in his collegiate career. He led Purdue to a 6th straight NCAA Tournament, he played the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round and lost by three points. He was guarded by Thomas Robinson (the 5th pick in the Draft, tonight--to the Sacramento Kings). Hummel scored 22pts in the first half and finished with 26pts & 9rebs. He was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American and also won the Lowe's Senior Class Award and the THomas A. Brady Comeback Award. Hummel will certainly be a part of the Timberwolves' Summer League team and it's sounding as though he has a VERY good chance to make the roster. He'd be a deep reserve wing off the bench for the TWolves, who can knock down shots and provide a big body at the forward positions. Well, that's all I've got on Hummel. It's clear by tonight's NBA Draft that the Minnesota Timberwolves will be targeting a shooting guard in free agency. That begins at 12:01am on Sunday, July 1st. Look for the Wolves to be linked to the likes of: O.J. Mayo, Jamal Crawford, Brandon Roy, Ray Allen, Landry Fields, Nick Young, J.R. Smith, Jason Terry, Shannon Brown, Rudy Fernandez and Leandro Barbosa. Clearly, some of those names more desirable than others. They could also go the route of trading for a shooting guard. There are some rumors floating around, with names like: Andre Iguodala, Kevin Martin, Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol. Of course, Martin is the only shooting guard of that bunch (Iggy could play the 2, as well). Expect plenty of trade rumors and speculation the next few days and through the start of free agency. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!
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Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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