January 25 is my birthday. We don’t need to talk about which year, but it’s January 25 every year. However, I received the best birthday gift a guy could ask for this year: The Minnesota Timberwolves were hosting one of my favorite events to cover that same morning. They were signing the Jr. Dream Team to one-day honorary contracts and having them join the Wolves for a practice.
It’s an event the Minnesota Lynx and Wolves do once during their seasons, in partnership with Special Olympics Minnesota and UnitedHealthcare. Typically, 12 to 15 Special Olympic athletes get the chance to join the team for a day. Tim Connelly or Cheryl Reeve signs them in the Mayo Clinic Square auditorium. They get their respective jerseys. Then they get snacks before going through a full media day and having the Wolves photographers take pictures of them in the practice facility media stage.
The Special Olympics athletes do crossovers and pass to the camera as they smile and do the poses the professionals do on their media day. After which, they and their parents get to watch the entirety of practice, as players routinely run by to high-five the Jr. signees.
Later, the Jr. athletes get to participate in drills with the pros, circling through stations. They do dribble drills with Anthony Edwards or Napheesa Collier, then shooting drills with Naz Reid or Courtney Williams, and finally passing drills and foot-racing with Jaden McDaniels or Alanna Smith, depending on the time of year and whose seasons are in session.
Team Diamond Miller with the bucket over team Ola Kosu.
Lynx Jr Dream team signings showing out #lynxrecognize pic.twitter.com/DreN7FfYWq
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) June 19, 2025
Unfortunately, the opportunity was almost lost for the participants this winter. On January 24, ICE agents killed local nurse Alex Pretti, and the collective anguish of the city of Minneapolis caused the league to move the Wolves game that night to January 25. As a result, the Jr. Dream Team event was delayed, with no immediate plans for a reschedule.
Weeks went by, and after the All-Star break, the Wolves were able to reschedule the event. However, not all 16 Jr. Dream Signees made it. One of the many less spoken about consequences of the turmoil that has been taking place in Minnesota. However, a team official told me that all signees will receive their jerseys, practice uniforms, swag bags, and more.
Wolves are having one of my favorite events of the year welcoming. Signing 7 youth athletes to honorary 1 day contracts with the team!
In partnership with Special Olympics Minnesota and United healthcare, the signees will participate in a Wolves practice and media day today! pic.twitter.com/OH0pM1FGhY
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) February 21, 2026
The event itself, though, was the right amount of hope and joy. It reminded the players, media, and fans of the true reason sports are so important to society. Making a difference in the community and spreading joy and kindness.
“These kids have dreams and goals,” Donte Divencenzo explained after the event. “Like I said, we get more out of it than they do. It may not show, but like leaving the event the other night, I went home, and I felt like my cup was full. … If you can leave an impact on the community, that’s the ultimate goal.”
Donte DiVincenzo on how spending time in the community and with kids affects him
“Just to be with the kids and hearing what they say I see myself but also I see my son, my niece, my nephew, these kids have dreams and goals… like I said we get more out of it than they do, it may… pic.twitter.com/QwTDfHEgF3
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) February 21, 2026
The event itself went off as normally as it could on short notice. Micah Nori signed the athletes in place of Connelly. The snacks went off without a hitch. The practice invoked the same ooos and ahhhs as it normally does, the pictures and media day brought the same smiles, and the drills they participated in had the same effect, bringing joy to the players and team members.
The new Signees from the Dream Team are running through some passing drills with the Wolves.
Huge shout out to the Wolves, Special Olympic Minnesota and United health care for making it possible! pic.twitter.com/uormj33XC5
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) February 21, 2026
“It’s great, kids come in, and you see the smile on their face,” Chris Finch said, explaining the value for the Wolves and the community.
“I always enjoy our players interact with them, big smile on their faces, too. I think it just kind of erases any kind of barrier between what normally a professional athlete has and the outside world at times. And our guys have always been spectacular in the community or in such environments.”
Chris Finch on the importance of doing the Jr Dream Tream event every year
“It’s great, kids come in and you see the smile on their face. I always enjoy our players interact with them, big smile on their faces too. I think it just kind of erases any kind of barrier between what… pic.twitter.com/qgYvCzVobl
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) February 21, 2026
“I was actually talking to my wife this morning, obviously for me and our situation with Jacob, he’s nine now, and seeing these kids, obviously for our family, it’s a hope that one day Jacob would participate in something similar,” Joe Ingles said, discussing the importance of these events, and why it so important for him and his family.
“He’s not too into team sports at the moment, but we can hopefully get him to come along. Obviously, such a great event for these guys to feel included.”
Joe Ingles on the Wolves Jr Dream Team event today and how it impacts him
“I was actually talking to my wife this morning, obviously for me and our situation with Jacob, he’s nine now, and seeing these kids, obviously for our family it’s a hope that one day Jacob would… pic.twitter.com/FFa7qukOo9
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) February 21, 2026
As DiVincenzo said, these are the events that fill the cup. They are the moments that are not just for the Jr. Dream Team but for the Wolves, the parents, the community, and even me, that allow us to smile and remember why sports are important.
The world can be hard. February in Minnesota can be draining. Still, ultimately, kindness always helps us get through the difficult times, including gut-wrenching Wolves losses.