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Matt Stanton

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Swimberwolves Water Safety Class & Swim Party

In honor of this season’s water-centered City Edition theme, we teamed up w/ V3 Sports to host a ‘Swimberwolves’ Water Safety Class & Swim Party for local youth.

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Swim Lessons and Pool Party at V3 Sports

Program celebrates rich history and cultural impact of local businesses in North Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced a new immersive program celebrating Twin Cities businesses and organizations that are working to create thriving communities. In partnership with U.S. Bank, the Community Cultural Experience Tour showcases the rich history and cultural impact of North Minneapolis. 

The Community Cultural Experience Tour highlights local talent, businesses and organizations that are actively making a difference, while driving awareness and educating the public about the significant role they play within their neighborhoods. Fans are encouraged to explore the following Community Cultural Experience Tour businesses and organizations by downloading the self-guided Neighborhood Passport or picking it up at one of the tour stops. Fans who visit all tour stops can submit their completed Neighborhood Passport for the chance to win a gameday suite on April 9 for Wolves vs. Wizards. Completed Neighborhood Passports must be submitted by March 31.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, local youth will have the opportunity to experience the tour on March 29. At each stop they’ll hear from the tour’s business employees and have the chance to ask questions.&nbsp;

“We are very excited to be partnering with U.S. Bank to help highlight and celebrate all the businesses in North Minneapolis that are a part of this tour,” said Timberwolves and Lynx Chief Impact Officer Tru Pettigrew. “Each business has greatly contributed to the rich culture of Minneapolis in a meaningful way, and we’re excited for our fans to discover and experience each of these businesses firsthand for themselves.”&nbsp;

“We salute the many outstanding businesses and organizations in North Minneapolis, led by influential entrepreneurs and leaders who are continuing to build cultural vibrancy in the community,” said Greg Cunningham, chief diversity officer for U.S. Bank. “We are proud to partner with the Minnesota Timberwolves to showcase these businesses and organizations for all Minnesotans and beyond. Grab your family and friends and join us on this community cultural experience tour.”&nbsp;

Cookie Cart | 1119 W Broadway Avenue: More than a cookie shop, Cookie Cart teaches life, leadership, and employment skills to teens of color through on-the-job and classroom experiences in nonprofit bakeries. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Juxtaposition Arts | 1108 W Broadway Avenue: Juxtaposition Arts is a teen-staffed art and design center, gallery, retail shop, and artists’ studio space in North Minneapolis. They develop community by engaging and employing young urban artists in hands-on education initiatives that create pathways to self-sufficiency while actualizing creative power. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sammy’s Avenue Eatery | 1101 W Broadway Ave. #1: With his personal savings and inspiration from his grandmother, Sammy McDowel opened his first shop and hasn’t looked back, adding a second location in Northeast Minneapolis, a food truck and a soon-to-open food hall. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Capri | 2027 W Broadway Avenue: The historic Capri is a dynamic, welcoming theater, rental space, and gathering place in North Minneapolis. It’s also where Prince played his first gig as a solo artist in 1979, an event that’s chronicled in a photo exhibit in the lobby. The expanded, renovated Capri opened in 2021. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Get Down Coffee Co. | 1500 N 44th Avenue: The Get Down Coffee Co. is not just a coffee shop. It's a Black-owned coffee company, roasting and selling its own coffee. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wilson’s Image | 2126 W Broadway Avenue: Teto Wilson opened Wilson's Image in August 2007. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, Wilson’s Image is a barber shop and a gathering place of new ideas, real talk and community outreach. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery | 1256 Penn Avenue N. 4th Floor: The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) preserves, documents and highlights the achievements, contributions and experiences of African Americans in Minnesota. Learn more here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

U.S. Bancorp, with more than 70,000 employees and $663 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Bancorp website at usbank.com and click on “About Us.”&nbsp;

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Timberwolves and U.S. Bank Launch Community Cultural Experience Tour

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Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Diamond Miller Visit Pillsbury Elementary School

Ananth Pandian

Two days after the NBA trade deadline had passed, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, still had one major roster move to make.

He had to sign all 15 members of the 2024 Timberwolves Dream Team, presented by UnitedHealthCare.&nbsp;

Connelly and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch met the youth from Big Brother Big Sisters Twin Cities for the first time the previous week and surprised them with the announcement that they were going to be practicing with the players and going to a game.

Now fast forward a week later, it was time for the Wolves Dream Team to sign their contracts and meet their new teammates. 

Here are 7 standout moments from the 2024 Wolves Dream Team’s practice with the Timberwolves on Saturday, Feb. 10.&nbsp;

Before their day got started, the Wolves Dream Team had to make things official by signing their contracts. So, like they do with all their major player signings, the Timberwolves held a press conference to announce the signing of all 15 members.&nbsp;

Everyone came dressed to impress, showing out for the numerous cameras recording the proceedings. One wore a bow tie, and another wore a blue blazer with matching slacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

They not only looked the part, they played the part too.&nbsp;&nbsp;

They enthusiastically signed their contracts, confidently answered questions from Connelly, their Bigs and family, and took pictures with their very own Timberwolves jerseys.&nbsp;

Just like the players do on Media Day, the Wolves Dream Team took part in a photoshoot, where they rocked their practice gear and posed for pictures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Yes, we’re talking about practice. But this was no ordinary practice. It was the Wolves Dream Team’s first practice after all, so the Timberwolves made sure that they felt right at home.&nbsp;

Each Wolves Dream Team member was paired with a Timberwolves player and went through different basketball fundamental stations as a duo. And while teaching and learning was one aspect of the practice, the players made sure to put the fun in fundamentals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“[We] teach a little bit but also have fun, said Wolves guard Mike Conley. “To see the smiles on their faces and see how excited they were, it puts us in a good mood and puts them in a good space too.”&nbsp;

Timberwolves All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns ensured that Evan, his new teammate, would always remember his experience.&nbsp;

Towns hammed it up with Evan throughout the practice, lifted him up to the rim at one point for a dunk and after practice was over, he took off his shoes, signed them and gave his kicks to the speechlessly surprised Wolves Dream Team member.&nbsp;

“I saw Evan in the morning, and he was kind of nervous and shy,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities CEO Pat Sukhum. “KAT made him feel like he belonged. He just brought it to a level where they could connect. It spoke worlds to who KAT is and the culture building relationships here.”&nbsp;

While the day was mainly about the youth, their families were also going through the experience with them, taking part in the press conference and watching practice from the sidelines.&nbsp;

They could see the interactions between the players and their child. They could see the smiles on their child’s face. They could see the high fives being exchanged.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Every moment made an impact with them as much as it did with their child.&nbsp;

“The sparkle in my son's eyes and that of the other youth in attendance during their time with the team invoked emotions of joy and pride amongst Bigs, Littles, and caregivers,” said Charmaine Bell, mother of Wolves Dream Team member Jimmie. “Moments like these are extremely important to boost the confidence of our babies. I know my son will remember this for the rest of his life.”&nbsp;

Like the parents, the Bigs were on hand throughout the day. They were the ones that nominated their Little for the Dream Team and the entire day was quite rewarding and exciting for them as well.&nbsp;

“It felt really good to see Wisdom get out of his shell and experience this whole moment with a bunch of other kids,” said Big Brother Victor, who shares the mentoring experience with his partner as a Big Couple.&nbsp;

For the players, their No. 1 job was to make sure the Wolves Dream Team had fun and a great time. But they also understood the bigger picture and know how impactful their actions are.&nbsp;

“It’s almost like a responsibility for us,” said Conley. “If we can actually make a difference in people’s lives, we all jump to that opportunity.”&nbsp;

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7 memorable moments from Wolves Dream Team's practice with Timberwolves

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Reading Books at Kaposia Education Center

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Micah Nori Surprises Roosevelt High School’s Unified Basketball Team

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Jaden McDaniels Surprises Urban Ventures Group

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<a href="https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/live">Now Streaming: Rudy Gobert's DPOY Press Conference</a>