2020 draft

Versatility is an asset every NBA team desires. With the 28th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked up versatile big Jaden McDaniels from the University of Washington. 

The Los Angeles Lakers made the pick for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who acquired the selection in the Dennis Schroeder-Danny Green trade. The Thunder then swapped the pick with the Wolves in the deal to bring Ricky Rubio back to Minnesota. 

A 6-9 forward from Federal Way, Wash., McDaniels boasts a 7-foot wingspan and put up averages of 13 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on 33.9% shooting from three-point range in his freshman season with the Huskies. McDaniels has the ability to both defend the paint while also capably guarding wings on the perimeter. 

"I think I fit pretty well," McDaniels said of the possibility of playing next to Karl-Anthony Towns. "Being versatile, I feel like I could play one through four at any time. Kind of like I said earlier, just taking pieces off his game and little tips, even how to guard bigger dudes in the post, and just learn on the pick-and-rolls and stuff."

McDaniels is also an adept ballhandler for his size. The Timberwolves draftee believes he can be a complementary piece in the Wolves system with D'Angelo Russell and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards.

"I feel like being a versatile player, being able to handle the ball and stuff, I feel like such different situations -- like I could sometimes be the creator for them or even in opposite ways," said McDaniels. 

Spending his entire life in the Pacific Northwest, McDaniels is excited to begin a new journey in the Twin Cities... Even if it means shoveling a little snow. 

"It's super cold; I'm used to the cold from Seattle," McDaniels told media. "They say it's a lot of snow. But I'm kind of excited, just new place, new culture.

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Wolves Gain Versatility With Jaden McDaniels

The newest member of the Minnesota Timberwolves and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards joined Rachel Nichols on ESPN's The Jump Thursday afternoon. The rookie shared his reaction to being selected first in the 2020 NBA Draft and reiterated his love for the game in the interview.

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'I Love Basketball To Death': Edwards Sets Record Straight On The Jump

When the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the odds in the Draft Lottery to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 Draft, one question was posed most often: Would the Wolves be drafting for organizational fit or best overall talent?

With the selection of 6-5, 225 lb. guard Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia, President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas believes he answered both questions. In Edwards, Minnesota gains an elite scorer and explosive athlete while also adding wing depth to complement cornerstones D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

"To be fair, fit didn't come into play," Rosas admitted to media following the Draft. "It was a pure talent evaluation. We looked at the other guys there, and they also could've fit with us. Fit helps in the long-term, but in the short-term, it's just about evaluating the best talent.

"We're fortunate that [Edwards] ended up being a guy that is a wing, but for us, it's just the full talent evaluation perspective."

One of the youngest prospects in the Draft, Edwards just recently turned 19 in August. The Atlanta native reclassified in November 2018 to enroll at Georgia a year early. Rosas is confident that Edwards' maturation on and off the court is accelerated surrounded by the culture that is being built in the Twin Cities. 

"He's got a lot of character, he's been through a lot in his life," said Rosas. "I love his grit; I love his toughness. I love that he has a chip on his shoulder. Does he have everything figured out right now? No. But the passion for being the best person he can be, his passion for the game, who he wants to become is something we're excited about."

The feeling of exuberance was mutual for Edwards. The Georgia Bulldog was sold on Minnesota following the Front Office's pitch in the pre-Draft interview process. 

"The first time they met with me, they had everything mapped out," Edwards told media over a Zoom call. "They had a game plan and everything for me... They love to compete. They love players who come and compete. They love players who leave it all on the court. They want you to come in there and just be ready.

"I feel like I'm one of those players, and I'm just ready to work."

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Rosas Gets His Man In Anthony Edwards

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves tonight selected guard Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

“We look forward to welcoming Anthony to the Timberwolves family as this year’s number one draft selection,” said President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas. “We are excited to add this young talent to our roster and continue his development to make him the best player he can be as he joins All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns and All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell here in Minneapolis.”

Edwards, 6-5, averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game as a freshman last season. He tallied 610 points for the 2019-20 season, a total that ranks seventh on Georgia’s single-season scoring list (second among freshmen) and 10th all-time among SEC freshmen. The Atlanta native closed out the 19-20 season as the nation’s freshman scoring leader (19.1), standing as one of only three freshmen ranked in the top 100.

The 19-year-old shot 40.2 percent from the field (203-of-505) in his one season as a Bulldog. He ranked in the top 20 in six Georgia single-season statistical categories, including second in 3-point attempts (245), fifth in field goal attempts (505), 11th in 3-pointers (72), 17th in free throws (132) and 19th in both scoring average (19.1 ppg) and free throw attempts (171). During his freshman campaign, Edwards notched 27 double-figure scoring outings, 14 20-point performances, three 30-point contests and three double-doubles. A highlight from his freshman campaign includes scoring 37 points against Michigan State on Nov. 26, the most by a Georgia freshman since 1975.

Edwards was voted SEC Freshman of the Year by league coaches, becoming the first Bulldog to garner the honor since its inception in 2001. Among other acknowledgements, he was named SEC Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming the third Georgia honoree in team history. Edwards collected a school-record four SEC Freshman of the Week selections, on Dec. 2 (after Maui Jim Maui Invitational), Feb. 3 (vs. Missouri and Texas A&amp;M), Feb. 24 (after victories over No. 13/12 Auburn and at Vanderbilt) and March 2 (after averaging 31.0 ppg in contests against South Carolina and Arkansas). For his first SEC Freshman of the Week selection on Dec 2, Edwards became the first UGA freshman since Jumaine Jones in 1998 to record consecutive double-doubles.

Born August 5, 2001, Edwards played at Therrell High School before transferring to Holy Spirit Prep in 2017. As a senior he posted averages of 25.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.1 spg and 1.1 bpg for the Cougars, leading the charge to a runner-up finish in the GISA Class 3A state tournament. During his junior year, Edwards led Holy Spirit to a 24-5 record and the GISA 3A state title after averaging 22.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.4 spg and 1.4 bpg per game.

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Timberwolves Select Guard Anthony Edwards with First Overall Pick in 2020 NBA Draft

Twitter reacts to the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting Anthony Edwards No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. 

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Twitter Reacts To Minnesota Selecting Anthony Edwards No. 1 Overall

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Timberwolves No. 1 Draft Pick: Anthony Edwards

Counting down the hours until the Minnesota Timberwolves select first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday, President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas joined ESPN's Rachel Nichols on The Jump Tuesday afternoon. The Wolves decision-maker discussed the team's preparations for drafting in the pandemic as well as the goal of drafting a prospect that will mesh well with Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell's skillsets.