When the Timberwolves selected Joan Beringer with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, it was expected that it was more of a long-term play. The 6-foot-11 Frenchman hasn’t even been playing the sport all that long, and he turns just 19 on November 6.
Minnesota has prided themselves on being a top defensive team since acquiring Rudy Gobert. Drafting Beringer was seen as him eventually becoming the successor to the 33-year-old Gobert at center, with much of Beringer's potential being someone who can make a huge defensive impact.
With the team really struggling on defense for their first five outings, it might be time to see what the young rookie can do on the court.