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Minnesota Timberwolves: Top 15 draft picks in franchise history

By Ben Beecken

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 23: Kevin Garnett, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 23: Kevin Garnett, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Pooh Richardson, Minnesota Timberwolves
SACRAMENTO, CA – 1991: Felton Spencer #50, Tony Campbell #19, Pooh Richardson #24 and Sam Mitchell #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves line up for an inbound play during a game against the Sacramento Kings circa 1991 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pooh Richardson. 8. player. 86. . PG. UCLA, 1989 (No. 10)

  • Three seasons with Timberwolves (1989-92)
  • Averaged 15 points, 8.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game
  • Played in all 246 possible games with the Wolves, starting 212

Pooh Richardson was the first-ever draft selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise, going 10th overall in 1989 after playing college ball at UCLA.

Richardson became a starter midway through his rookie season and never looked back, appearing in all 82 games as a rookie and starting all 82 games in his second and third seasons in the league. From day one, Richardson was a pass-first point guard, but he scored when he needed to, putting up 17.1 points per game in 1990-91.

He was primarily the distributor, of course, dishing out 8.8 assists per game during his three years in Minnesota.

The Timberwolves were bad during their first three years of existence, of course, winning just 22, 29, and 15 games, respectively. But along with Doug West and Scott Brooks, Richardson was arguably the best all-around player on the team during his time with the Wolves.

Richardson was traded along with Sam Mitchell (who later returned to Minnesota as a player and an assistant and eventually, interim head coach) to Indiana in exchange for sharpshooter Chuck Person and Michael Williams.

Richardson was one of the early fan favorites and led the franchise in assists until Kevin Garnett passed him, and still holds the second-highest mark on the list for a point guard, trailing only Ricky Rubio.

First draft pick in team history, fan favorite, solid trade piece, and franchise leaderboard? That’s enough for No. 8 on the list.