Tag: Wendell Moore

Chris Finch: Wendell Moore Jr. ‘great’ in first career start with Timberwolves

Moore earned his first career start and helped the Timberwolves to a win over the Grizzlies at home.

Wendell Moore Jr. earned his first career start on Wednesday and helped the Minnesota Timberwolves to a win over Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies at home.

Moore produced a career-high seven points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in the 109-101 win at home. He went 3-of-6 from the field, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range, in 20 minutes of work as the Timberwolves snapped a three-game losing streak.

The 26th pick earned the start after Jaden McDaniels was a late scratch due to an illness. He gave the starting group a boost of energy and didn’t force things on the court. He had a couple of layups in transition and dropped in a 3-pointer.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch liked what Moore gave the team.

He was great. I thought he was really, really good. He took the challenge. He got off to a good start. We wrestled (with the decision), there were a lot of different ways we could go when Jaden was the late scratch but the reality of it was we wanted somebody who could give us good defense.

Said Anthony Edwards:

Give all of the shout-outs to Wendell Moore. He did everything he needed to do. The rookie got his first start tonight. He was big for us. Shout out to him.

The game was just the fifth appearance of the season by Moore. He had totaled 12 minutes of work prior to Wednesday and only found out about 10 minutes before the team’s pre-game meeting that he would be playing and starting.

Moore has even played five games in the NBA G League with the Iowa Wolves. He credited his time in Iowa for preparing him to be able to step in and contribute on Wednesday.

He was excited to start for the first time and was ready to go.

Once (coach) told me the news, I was, obviously, beyond excited (to start) but at the same time, I knew I had to lock in. You never know when your time is going to come so, for me, I’m always going to be ready. Everybody in this locker room has supreme confidence in me, which allowed me to go out there and play free.

With a few players out, the Timberwolves turned to Moore and the rookie responded with a solid, all-around game. His role will likely continue to fluctuate, but the 21-year-old showed that he can step in and contribute when called upon.

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Timberwolves’ Wendell Moore Jr. assigned to G League affiliate

The 26th pick has logged only two minutes of action in the early going for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Wendell Moore Jr. on Friday was assigned to the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League, the team announced.

Moore has logged only two minutes of action in one appearance. The move was expected to get him some practice time with Iowa after having a minor role in the early going. Teams in the G League began training camp this week with the season tipping off on Nov. 4.

The 26th pick played in four preseason games, averaging 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and one assist. He turned in his best game on Oct. 6 with nine points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist.

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With Moore out of the rotation, the former Duke standout will likely spend time with Iowa throughout the season. Minnesota often utilizes 9-10 players on a nightly basis with its veterans seeing the bulk of those minutes, leaving Moore on the outside.

The G League assignments will likely serve as a great opportunity for Moore to continue his development and stay fresh should the Timberwolves need him throughout the year.

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Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey among 14 rookies to sign with Nike

Holmgren and Ivey were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with the Swoosh.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey on Friday were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with Nike, the apparel company announced.

Holmgren and Ivey, as top-five picks, were viewed as top targets for apparel companies as each player projects to have a bright future in the NBA. They both have worn Nike shoes in the past and will continue to do so after opting to sign with the Swoosh.

Related: No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero reacts to signing with Jordan Brand

Nike had a busy signing period with the incoming rookie class after coming to terms with 12 other first-year players. They signed 12 first-round picks and two second-round picks for the 2022-23 season after a relatively quiet class over the past few years because of the pandemic.

Here are the 14 rookies that signed with Nike this season.

Wendell Moore gifted his shoes to a young fan at Twin Cities Pro-Am

Moore once again pulled up to the Twin Cities Pro-Am on Monday and made one fan’s night in the process.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Wendell Moore Jr. on Monday pulled up to the Twin Cities Pro-Am and made one fan’s night at the Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis.

The appearance by Moore was his second in the event. He dazzled last week alongside Timberwolves teammates Nathan Knight and Josh Minott. He returned and again put on a show for those in attendance. Then he took time to meet supporters.

He was pictured autographing a pair of his Kobe 8s from Duke for a young fan and then had a photo-op afterward, via Emilee Wolf on Twitter. The gesture will undoubtedly be one that fan remembers for a long time.

Moore is among several rookies to appear in a pro-am this summer, joining Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Tari Eason and David Roddy among others. The games can be a great opportunity for players to meet and connect with fans, as Moore showed.

He certainly left a lasting impression on that fan on Monday.

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Wendell Moore crossed a guy out of the gym in Twin Cities Pro-Am

Moore was among a trio of Timberwolves who pulled up to the Twin Cities Pro-Am and easily had the highlight of the night.

A trio of Minnesota Timberwolves pulled up to the Twin Cities Pro-Am on Tuesday and put on a show for those in attendance at the Minnehaha Academy.

Timberwolves forward Nathan Knight was joined by draftees Wendell Moore Jr. (26th pick) and Josh Minott (45th pick) on the same team for the festivities. Each filled the highlight reel against the competition and were easily the best players on the court.

But Moore easily had the highlight of the night.

The 20-year-old was captured on video with the ball near the 3-point line with a defender matched up closely on him. He gave him a few dribble moves and then sent him flying across the court, which earned loud cheers from the crowd.

The appearance by Moore and Minott came after a solid run by them in the Las Vegas Summer League. Moore averaged 12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and two assists in five games while Minott posted 12.2 points and 8.6 rebounds.

The trio were the latest rookie players to participate in a Pro-Am this summer, joining Paolo Banchero, Tari Eason and David Roddy. However, that crossover by Moore will go down as one of the best moves of the offseason.

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Chris Finch explains on-court fit with Timberwolves rookies

Finch praised their three incoming draftees and believes each can develop into productive players in the future.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch on Tuesday praised their three incoming draftees and believes each can develop into productive players in the future.

The Timberwolves officially introduced Walker Kessler (22nd pick), Wendell Moore Jr. (26th pick) and Josh Minott (45th pick) after drafting them on Thursday. They were the first additions to the roster by new president Tim Connelly since he assumed the position on May 23.

The three players each bring unique skillsets to the roster.

Kessler was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year last season at Auburn after ranking second in the country in blocks. Moore emerged as a player that can fill the box score on a nightly basis while Minott brings great length and athleticism.

Finch explained how they can fit into the roster.

I think one thing these guys all bring is complementary skillsets. We have a very explosive, dynamic core that likes to score the ball and we need guys that are tough, two-way players that can fit in between those and grow into roles and be highly productive in those roles. We feel that all of these guys have that ability.

The Timberwolves proved to be one of the more active teams on draft night after making some moves to bring in Kessler, Moore and Minott. They wanted to add some pieces to the roster that can compete now while also developing for the future.

That is exactly what Kessler wants to accomplish.

I think the main goal is just to come in and impact winning right away and improve the most I can and do the best I can. Beyond that, I think the rest of it will take care of itself. I’m a big believer in the idea that if you focus on the team’s success, you gain individual success from it so understanding that and having that focus, I think the individual success will come.

The Timberwolves will attempt to find a balance of keeping expectations low with each of their draft picks while also developing them for the future. The team likes what each player brings and will be eager to see how they begin their transition to the NBA.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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