Joan Beringer is in the midst of a distant move to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the 17th pick has found a perfect mentor in fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert.
Beringer was one of the top international prospects in the draft this year after helping Cedevita Olimpija win the Slovenian Basketball Cup last season. He was one of 13 European players drafted this year, including a record six from France.
The 18-year-old is adjusting to life in another country and league with the Timberwolves. He named the physicality and speed of the game as some of the biggest challenges with transitioning to the NBA, but credited Gobert and the team for helping him in the early going.
“He is very experienced,” Beringer said of Gobert. “I really have fun with him. Every day, he gives me some advice on the court and off the court. I have a very good relationship with Rudy.”
Beringer is averaging 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and one block on 61.5% shooting from the field in three preseason games with the Timberwolves. He debuted with a 14-point, four-rebound performance in a win over the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 4.
The 6-foot-11 forward has ingratiated himself well within the team atmosphere, while also experiencing the typical learning curve that comes with entering the league. The team believes Beringer is adjusting mostly well to its system and details on the court.
“I think he has done a great job of picking up everything as fast as it is coming at him,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “Sometimes, you have to kind of slow down a little bit and check how much English he is really absorbing in the moment, but we have (assistant coach Kevin Hanson) working with him and there is no better coach there.”
Beringer was highly touted for his timing and defensive activity, boasting a 7-foot, 4 1/2-inch wingspan. He is still a bit raw offensively, but the team believes he can play some spot minutes throughout the year based on those attributes.
He faces an uphill battle to carve out consistent minutes in the rotation with several players ahead of him. Though he is behind Gobert and others on the depth chart, Beringer is pushing his mentor, something that Finch has enjoyed watching unfold.
“They’ve been going to dinner together,” Finch said. “Probably talk about how crappy American food is. But it has been fun. A lot of mentorships, small tips and conversations. I think Joan has made Rudy better with his ability to go after him every day in practice. It brings kind of another edge to Rudy in practice that he has got with him this year. It has been fun to watch.”
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Timberwolves news: Joan Beringer talks relationship with Rudy Gobert
