Drew Timme, widely regarded as one of the best players in Gonzaga Bulldogs history, is gearing up to compete for a spot on the Minnesota Timberwolves this upcoming fall. Despite being considered undersized for his position, the skilled 6-foot-9 forward has inked a training camp contract with the team, as reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Timme’s signing boosts Minnesota’s frontcourt depth, creating added competition for the three to five positions during the preseason. Alongside Timme, the Timberwolves have also brought in two other forwards for training camp battles: 6-foot-6 KJ Martin and 6-foot-7 Norchad Omier. Martin, son of former NBA star Kenyon Martin, was selected 52nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft and has recently played in China’s Basketball Association with the Ningbo Rockets. Omier made history as the first Nicaraguan to sign an NBA contract, spending the last season under a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Currently, Minnesota’s roster includes 13 players on standard NBA contracts and all three two-way contract slots filled.
Since leaving college basketball in 2023, Timme has carved out a career primarily as a G League player. In his limited NBA time with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers over two seasons, he averaged 5.6 points per game on efficient shooting splits of 49.4% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 60% from the free-throw line, along with 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in roughly 13.6 minutes across 36 appearances.
During the 2025-26 season, Timme was on a two-way contract with the Lakers but lost out on a final playoff roster spot to guard Nick Smith Jr., who then earned a standard NBA contract.
If Timme makes the Timberwolves’ opening night roster, it would mark the presence of 13 Gonzaga alumni in the NBA at the start of the 2026-27 season. Should he be waived, it’s likely he’ll continue to develop with Minnesota’s G League team, the Iowa Wolves.
Arden Cravalho, a Gonzaga graduate from the Bay Area, covers this story.
Fan Take: Drew Timme’s pursuit of an NBA roster spot with the Timberwolves highlights the growing influence of Gonzaga players in the league and the importance of skill and versatility over traditional size. Basketball fans should watch closely as this could signal a shift toward more dynamic, well-rounded forwards thriving in today’s evolving game.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
