The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the most exciting collections of young players on an NBA roster. Every Thursday, FOX Sports North tracks the progress of those on the Timberwolves who are in their first or second season in the league.
This is the 13th edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker.
PER -- Player Efficiency Rating: A measure of per-minute production standardized such that the league average is 15.
TS% -- True Shooting Percentage: A measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.
USG% -- Usage Percentage: An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor.
ORtg -- Offensive Rating: An estimate of points produced per 100 possessions.
DRtg -- Defensive Rating: An estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions.
VORP -- Value over Replacement Player: A box score estimate of the points per 100 TEAM possessions that a player contributed above a replacement-level (-2.0) player, translated to an average team and prorated to an 82-game season.
ANDREW WIGGINS (age 20, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 20.8 points (20.7), 3.7 rebounds (1.7), 1.8 assists (1.3), 0.6 blocks (1.00), 35.1 minutes (33.7), .447 FG% (.429), .244 3PT% (.000)
Advanced stats, season: 16.3 PER, .526 TS%, 28.0 USG%, 104 ORtg, 112 DRtg, -0.2 VORP
Notable: Wiggins kept up his usual scoring pace last week, racking up 21 points in a win over Chicago, before picking up 15 points in a loss to New Orleans and bouncing back with a 26-point effort in a big victory over Toronto.
ZACH LAVINE (age 20, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 12.8 points (12.7), 2.9 rebounds (2.3), 3.2 assists (3.3), 0.2 blocks (1.33), 24.4 minutes (34.0), .434 FG% (.333), .345 3PT% (.300)
Advanced stats, season: 14.7 PER, .521 TS%, 26.1 USG%, 101 ORtg, 111 DRtg, 0.2 VORP
Notable: LaVine started at shooting guard against the Raptors, chipping in 13 points, five assists and four rebounds, while hitting three 3-pointers. It was the best performance of the week for the second-year guard, who put up 13 points against Chicago and 14 points in a loss to New Orleans.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 24, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 2.7 points (2.0), 2.0 rebounds (2.5), 0.5 assists (0.5), 0.2 blocks (0.00), 9.4 minutes (9.5), .414 FG% (.400), .348 3PT% (.000)
Advanced stats, season: 7.1 PER, .477 TS%, 16.4 USG%, 87 ORtg, 107 DRtg, -0.2 VORP
Notable: It's tough to get a read on Payne since his return from the D-League, as not much has changed in his production. The Michigan State alum has played sparingly, and was inactive Chicago this week. Payne saw 11 minutes of action against the Pelicans, hitting a field goal, grabbing three rebounds and logging an assist, before posting a similar stat-line against Toronto.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 20, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 17.1 points (26.7), 10.1 rebounds (13.3), 1.4 assists (1.0), 1.8 blocks (2.33), 30.1 minutes (35.3), .544 FG% (.625), .375 3PT% (.000)
Advanced stats, season: 23.1 PER, .596 TS%, 24.5 USG%, 113 ORtg, 104 DRtg, 1.9 VORP
Notable: It's been the K.A.T. and Gorgui show over the last few weeks. The duo combined for 50 points and 30 rebounds against the Bulls, before a slight dip in production led to a loss against New Orleans. However, Towns stormed back in a win over the Toronto Raptors, scoring 35 points.
NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.5 points (5.0), 3.2 rebounds (3.0), 1.3 assists (1.0), 0.3 blocks (0.00), 17.9 minutes (12.0), .429 FG% (.833), .354 3PT% (N/A)
Advanced stats, season: 9.4 PER, .549 TS%, 12.0 USG%, 107 ORtg, 109 DRtg, 0.4 VORP
Notable: Bjelica had a deceptively solid outing against the Pelicans on Monday, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds with the game largely out of reach in the fourth quarter. Outside of that performance it was a quiet week for the Serbian forward, as he was inactive for a win over Chicago and was held to just two rebounds and one assist in a win over Toronto.
TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 3.0 points (3.0), 1.8 rebounds (3.0), 1.9 assists (5.0), 0.1 blocks (0.00), 11.0 minutes (12.0), .333 FG% (.200), 0.2 3PT% (.000)
Advanced stats, season: 9.0 PER, .388 TS%, 19.1 USG%, 86 ORtg, 109 DRtg, -0.1 VORP
Notable: Jones finally saw the floor this week, if only for just 12 minutes. The rookie picked up three points, added three rebounds and picked up five assists against the Pelicans.
