During the offseason, we will run a series called Forgotten Wolves Friday. A former Minnesota player will be highlighted who may have become more and more forgotten as the years have gone by since their playing career has ended. This is especially true for the younger generation that wasn't around to see these guys play.
Today’s Forgotten Wolves Friday is center Dean Garrett.
Dean Garrett didn't make NBA debut until 8 years after he was drafted
Born on November 27, 1966, Garrett was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 38th overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. Prior to that, he spent two college seasons playing for the Indiana Hoosiers under the legendary Bob Knight. Garrett’s 99 blocks in 1987-88 are still the school’s single-season record (his 93 blocks in 1986-87 are the school's second-most).
Remarkably, Garrett’s NBA debut didn’t come until more than eight years after he was drafted (he played overseas instead in Italy and Greece). He joined the Timberwolves in the 1996-97 season (yes, while with Minnesota, the team had a Garnett and a Garrett). Already 30 years old early into his rookie year, Garrett started 47 of his 68 appearances. He averaged 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while accumulating 14 double-doubles.
The following season, Garrett signed with the Nuggets, where he spent just one year. The 6-foot-11 center was traded back to the Wolves after starting all 82 games for Denver in 1997-98. He started 37 of his 49 outings back with the Timberwolves in 1998-99, but saw his playing time dwindle with Minnesota the following two seasons. In February of 2002, Garrett was traded to the Warriors.
Altogether in his time with the Timberwolves, Garrett appeared in 272 games (128 starts). He posted averages of 4.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 15.8 minutes. His career-high of 25 points came on February 19, 1997, against the Vancouver Grizzlies. Garrett had a 20-rebound game for Minnesota on January 31, 1997, against the Spurs. He made 13 appearances (eight starts) with the Timberwolves in the playoffs, averaging 5.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Garrett's career was over slightly after being traded
After he was traded to the Warriors, Garrett would play just five games for the team. That 2001-02 season would be his last in the NBA.
While his NBA career lasted just six years, he played professionally for nearly a decade and a half. Garrett will forever be known as a national champion in college as Indiana defeated Syracuse in the 1987 title game.