{"id":149710,"date":"2025-07-10T21:50:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=149710"},"modified":"2025-07-10T21:50:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:50:07","slug":"timberwolves-joan-beringer-summer-league-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/10\/timberwolves-joan-beringer-summer-league-debut\/","title":{"rendered":"Timberwolves Rookie Impresses In Summer League Debut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Minnesota Timberwolves selected French big man <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/berinjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joan Beringer<\/a> with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft last month. This was an intriguing decision by the Timberwolves as drafting a project prospect in Beringer didn&#8217;t seem like an effective way to utilize their top-20 selection. For the next few seasons, Minnesota will be trying to win now while building a young core around superstar shooting guard <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edwaran01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Edwards<\/a>. The coaching staff, led by Chris Finch, is confident that Beringer can effortlessly fit into their long-term plan, and in his Summer League debut, Beringer made a strong first impression.<\/p>\n<h2>Timberwolves Rookie Impresses In Summer League Debut<\/h2>\n<h3>Assessment of Debut Performance<\/h3>\n<p>From the opening tip-off, Beringer provided vibrant energy on both ends of the floor. Sharing the court with an experienced youth group, including <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/dilliro01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rob Dillingham<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/shannte01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terrence Shannon Jr.<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clarkja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Clark<\/a>, and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millele01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leonard Miller<\/a>, he became comfortable in his role. His teammates set him up for great looks on offense and complemented him athletically on defense. In the first half alone, Beringer collected five blocks, including two blocks in a single possession, quickly molding into Minnesota&#8217;s potential long-term defensive anchor.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Joan Beringer has FIVE blocks in 8 minutes of playing time \ud83d\ude33\ud83d\udd90\ufe0f <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ysyix3uiYO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Ysyix3uiYO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NBA TV (@NBATV) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBATV\/status\/1943402224941428823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As the game progressed, he became more involved on the offensive end, catching alley-oops and truly cementing himself as a problem on the glass. However, the battle between New Orleans Pelicans center <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/missiyv01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yves Missi<\/a> and him was entertaining to monitor. They both imposed their will on the game, with Missi dominating the boards, collecting 13 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds. Meanwhile, Beringer was menacing on the defense, registering six blocks and besting Missi and fellow rookie <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/q\/queende01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derik Queen<\/a> several times.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, Beringer impressed in his Summer League debut, putting together what will likely be one of the best rookie performances of the night. He recorded a final stat line of 11 points, eight rebounds, and two steals on an efficient clip (83%).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_149730\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-149730\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-149730 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"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 at Barclays Center. \" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26533556_168402036_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-149730\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; 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 at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Keys to Development in Minnesota<\/h3>\n<p>This standout Summer League performance for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/19\/joan-beringer-2025-nba-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Beringer<\/a> doesn&#8217;t take away from the fact that he still needs a ton of development as an 18-year-old prospect. His feel for the game and attitude were question marks for him. However, joining a competitive team and learning from a fellow French big <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/goberru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rudy Gobert<\/a> should provide perfect alignment for effective development.<\/p>\n<p>The Timberwolves conducted something very similar with the development of first-round rookies Dillingham and Shannon Jr. last season, allowing them to learn from their veteran leaders in the locker room. Specifically with Dillingham, he spent the majority of his rookie season learning from 18-year NBA veteran <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/conlemi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Conley<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In a post-game interview, Dillingham complimented the big man&#8217;s performance and commented on the developing pick-and-roll connection Finch wants to grow between the young pairing.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Rob Dillingham video, mostly on Joan Beringer. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bgTSxVTNq0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/bgTSxVTNq0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChristopherHine\/status\/1943437230292586632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Timberwolves&#8217; roster has evolved into a perfect blend of talent, as evidenced by their consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances. It starts with developing the fit between each player while also focusing on individual skills. Minnesota has a distinct approach to cultivating young talent. Players like <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdanja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaden McDaniels<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reidna01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Naz Reid<\/a> signify they find success in this system more often than not.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Featured image: \u00a9 Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Minnesota Timberwolves selected French big man Joan Beringer with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft last month. This was an intriguing decision by the Timberwolves as drafting a project prospect in Beringer didn&#8217;t seem like an effective way to utilize their top-20 selection. For the next few seasons, Minnesota will be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5542,"featured_media":149732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,21,62,556],"tags":[50193,50090],"class_list":["post-149710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-timberwolves","category-nba","category-nba-draft","tag-2025-nba-summer-league","tag-joan-beringer"],"modified_by":"Kayla Fonte","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149710"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":149733,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149710\/revisions\/149733"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/149732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}