Former Gophers Blake Hoffarber and Paul Carter were among a group of six potential prospects that worked out for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff led the players through a series of drills in front of team officials in the Lifetime Fitness Center adjacent to the Target Center. WolvesâÄô assistant general manager Tony Ronzone said he was satisfied with what he saw.
âÄúThe first time for them itâÄôs always difficult what to expect. A lot of them are real nervous when they walk down the floor, especially the local guys here, but I think after about the first thirty minutes they relaxed, broke it down, and started playing a lot better,âÄù he said.
Hoffarber, a Minnetonka native, said he was grateful for the chance to work out in front of his hometown team.
âÄúAnytime you get a workout with your hometown NBA team itâÄôs always fun. The Timberwolves always have a place in my heart,âÄù he said. âÄúItâÄôs always been a dream come true to come work out here.âÄù
He made sure to take advantage of the opportunity, as he nailed a majority of the shots during the three-point shooting drills, and did a good job of facilitating in the three-on-three drills, according to the local ESPN affiliate.
Hoffarber said he intends to play professional basketball in some capacity, whether itâÄôs in the NBA or overseas.
In the upcoming weeks, the GophersâÄô all-time leader in three-pointers will be working out in Las Vegas, where he has purchased an apartment.
Carter, who transferred to the University of Illinois-Chicago to be closer to his family for his senior season, was invited back to the Twin Cities for a workout as well.
When asked how his decision to transfer affected his chances of going pro, Carter said he felt it was a nonissue.
âÄúIâÄôm really happy I made the decision. No regrets at all. I feel like IâÄôm on the right track. IâÄôm here right now so I definitely have no regrets at all about the decision,âÄù he said.
While it is unlikely that any of the six prospects who worked out Sunday will be drafted, Ronzone said that the team will evaluate several prospects ultimately deciding who will land on its draft board.
Top prospects Kyrie Irving of Duke and Derrick Williams of Arizona will likely workout for Minnesota scouts in the upcoming weeks. The Timberwolves hold both the Nos. 2 and 20 picks in the first round of this yearâÄôs draft.