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 Randy Breuer.
Randy Breuer played two full seasons for the Timberwolves
Born on October 11, 1960, Breuer was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 18th overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. He spent four college seasons playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Breuer’s 229 blocks are second in school history, only behind Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin McHale.
It was on January 4, 1990, that the 7-foot-3 center became a member of the Timberwolves. Milwaukee traded him and a 1992 second round pick to Minnesota in exchange for forward Brad Lohaus and a 1992 second round pick. Breuer had played six full seasons, and part of a seventh, with the Bucks prior to the deal.
It was in Breuer’s second outing with the Timberwolves that he was inserted into the starting lineup. It was on February 4, 1990, exactly one month after he was dealt, that the Minnesota native had a career-best outing. He poured in a career-high 40 points that night against the Golden State Warriors on 14-28 shooting (12-17 from the foul line). The big man also added nine rebounds, five assists, five steals, and a block. On April 13, 1990, he finished just one rejection shy of a triple-double (14 points, 11 rebounds, nine blocks).
Breuer would go on to play the next two seasons with Minnesota. He was mostly utilized as a part-time starter, making 69 starts in his 140 appearances. He secured five double-doubles in points and rebounds over that time.
Altogether in his time with the Timberwolves, Breuer averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 191 games (116 starts).
Post-Minnesota career
After the 1991-92 season, Breuer was released by the Timberwolves. He signed late in the 1992-93 season with the Atlanta Hawks. His final season in the NBA came in 1993-94 as a member of the Sacramento Kings. Altogether, Breuer played 11 years in the league.
While it’s been more than 30 years since he played for the Timberwolves, Breuer still is the tallest player to ever suit up for the team at 7-foot-3. That could change this season, as Rocco Zikarsky, their 2025 second-round pick, is also listed at that height. Zikarsky is currently on a two-way contract with Minnesota.