The Minnesota Timberwolves selected two promising big men in the 2025 NBA Draft, Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. They spoke to the media in their introductory press conference on Monday morning.
As the Timberwolves' only incoming rookies for the 2025-26 season, Beringer and Zikarsky look forward to playing for the team. At the same time, they are excited to be part of an organization where they can develop.
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.
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Rudy Gobert remains the Timberwolves' best big man, but they are also preparing for the long-term future. With these two rookies, Gobert has some students to mentor.
Beringer stands at 6'11" and Zikarsky at 7'3". Gobert will be an important figure for these two players. He is the most crucial person for the rookie duo, but they are also ecstatic to be part of the organization alongside some players they admire.
The Rookies Are Ecstatic To Be Part Of The Timberwolves Organization
As they enter their rookie seasons, Beringer and Zikarsky will probably not play heavy minutes. However, they will be learning well from their teammates, particularly Gobert.
However, they are joining an inclusive team where every player enjoys basketball. With Anthony Edwards as the team's superstar and leader, the rookie year should be fun for both players.
Beringer is glad to be playing alongside Edwards in the upcoming season, while Zikarsky is eager to learn from his teammates.
"It's a player whom I watched for two to three years. He is an active player who can do everything on the court. To have a chance to play with a player like him, it's amazing," Beringer said in the presser.
"I think the thing that excites me the most is the atmosphere and how the team plays. I've been lucky enough to see a couple of games, and I really enjoy watching them out on the floor," Zikarsky said about his excitement. "I'm most excited to learn from Rudy. Defensive MVP four times. To me, that's what I like, I like playing defense."
The Timberwolves Have A Bright Future With The Rookies
Beringer and Zikarsky are still raw prospects, but the president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, and his scouts did a great job. These are two promising athletes who can thrive in the Timberwolves' environment.
Both players will benefit from playing in the G-League's Iowa Wolves. They will also benefit from Gobert's mentorship. The future is bright if they keep learning from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Apart from their relationship with Gobert, the rest of the team should be happy with their arrival. They are both elite athletes, so playing with Timberwolves players with a similar level of athleticism can be a learning experience.
The rookies are eager to learn and produce big-time numbers, which is a good attitude ahead of their first season. Coach Chris Finch should be pleased with what he has seen from this duo.