The Minnesota Timberwolves have finished playing their first 2025 NBA Summer League game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Minnesota won the game 98-91, as rookie big man Joan Beringer proved he is one of the most promising rookies in the entire league.
The 18-year-old French rookie posted a stat line of 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a Summer League record of seven blocks. That is one of the most impressive debuts for a rookie so far, and he proved he deserves to be one of the Timberwolves' most promising prospects.
Promising French rookie Joan Beringer during the 2025 NBA Draft when he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
After the Timberwolves selected Beringer 17th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, most people knew he would be a raw prospect. Considering he only started playing basketball when he was 14, the hesitance was understandable. However, he has taken to basketball rather quickly, and he is displaying his natural talent at the NBA Summer League.
Beringer's best strengths were on display during the Timberwolves' first NBA Summer League game. He was drawing plenty of big reactions from the fans, but his teammates were also receptive to what he did during the win against the Pelicans.
Dillingham and Shannon Enjoyed Beringer's Summer League Debut
As the two biggest names on the Timberwolves' Summer League roster, Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. were the team's leaders. They have played rotation NBA minutes, so they know what it's like playing in the league. That is why they are impressed with Beringer, as he showed his potential from the jump.
His debut was impressive, and the Timberwolves fans are salivating at the result. Of course, this is not what they should expect every game, but he is only scratching the surface. There is a better player under the raw prospect, and Rudy Gobert will be there to help unlock that potential as his countryman and mentor.
"I don’t even have to explain, y'all seen it. He’s like that since the first day. He plays hard, runs the floor, takes coaching well, doesn't care about having the ball. He’s special for sure," Dillingham said in a post-game interview about Beringer's debut.
"He jumps at everything. I remember there was one point in practice, like 'I know when to not go.' I love the fact that he tries to go for everything and tries to meet everything at the rim," Shannon said in his post-game interview.
Beringer Has More Potential To Tap Into As He Matures
For a player who only started playing basketball a few years ago, Beringer is already a successful project. If he can keep tapping into this potential, the Timberwolves have a gem in their hands. He has immense potential as a defender, and he could do well on offense as a lob threat.
The Timberwolves know this, and they are developing him well within their system, and Gobert's tutelage will be key. Beringer will have some rough performances here and there. It will be tough to deny his potential to become the Timberwolves' primary big man in the future alongside the rest of the core like Anthony Edwards, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels.