With the 17th overall pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected French big man Joan Beringer. Playing in the ABA league this past season, Beringer averaged 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 59.4 percent shooting from the field. The 18-year-old big man has plenty of upside as a rim protector and lob threat. His abilities as a shot blocker and rim deterrent have clear similarities to Rudy Gobert. Furthermore, they are both from France.
At 6-foot-11 (barefoot) and with a 7-foot-4.5 wingspan, Beringer's physical tools are clear. Nevertheless, he has clear risks. Notably, Beringer has only been playing organized basketball for three years and is seen as more of a project player. As the Wolves are competing for a title, this isn't ideal. It's understandable that the Wolves wanted to get another rim protector like Gobert, especially since he's 33, but this pick feels a bit like a reach. The Wolves lack future draft capital, which further adds to the risk of this pick.
French teenager Joan Beringer is one of the more fascinating prospects in the 2025 Draft. Late-bloomer who grew up playing ⚽️ and has only played organized 🏀 for 3 years. Uber-athletic, rangy, 7’4½” wingspan. Doesn’t turn 19 until November. https://t.co/EWPsgiEdVD pic.twitter.com/XoUMmou46z
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) June 16, 2025
Beringer's upside is clear but he comes with plenty of risk
Undoubtedly, Beringer is a high-upside player, but the Wolves could have looked at someone more ready to make an impact. Granted, Chris Finch typically doesn't play rookies a ton of minutes, so this could be logical. Nevertheless, for a contending team, getting a player more ready to make an immediate impact would have been ideal. In the nightmare scenario where Naz Reid walks in free agency, Beringer could be forced to play minutes, but it's unlikely that he'd be ready for that.
With a clear need for additional shot creators and playmakers, the Wolves could have picked Kasparas Jakučionis or Nolan Traoré. Nique Clifford could have also been an intriguing option as a do-it-all wing. Rim protection off the bench is also a clear need for Minnesota. However, there were more playmakers who could have made an instant impact available within this range.
Ultimately, Beringer could end up being the right pick for the Wolves. As Gobert ages, finding his successor feels logical, and Beringer has the skill set for that. Regardless, there's plenty of risk attached to taking such a raw prospect.