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 12th edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker, covering Jan. 28 through Feb 4.
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 (20.3), 3.8 rebounds (4.5), 1.8 assists (1.5), 0.6 blocks (1.0), 35.2 minutes (37.3), .448 FG% (.429), .254 3PT% (.364)
Advanced stats, season: 16.4 PER, .526 TS%, 28.0 USG%, 104 ORtg, 112 DRtg, -0.1 VORP
Notable: Wiggins had a relatively quiet couple of games last week, a situation that head coach Sam Mitchell chalked up to fatigue, but the second-year point guard was back on form during a two-game swing through Staples Center. Wiggins dropped a combined 61 points on the Lakers and the Clippers.
ZACH LAVINE (age 20, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 12.8 points (16.0), 3.0 rebounds (2.0), 3.2 assists (3.8), 0.1 blocks (0.00), 23.8 minutes (29.5), .441 FG% (.538), .348 3PT% (.385)
Advanced stats, season: 15.0 PER, .528 TS%, 26.6 USG%, 101 ORtg, 111 DRtg, 0.2 VORP
Notable: LaVine was consistent this week, scoring 19 points against Utah, before adding 14 points against the Trail Blazers and the Lakers and picking up 17 points against the Clippers. The second-year guard will reportedly defend his dunk contest title this year, but LaVine continues to prove that there's more to his game than just flash.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 24, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 2.7 points (2.0), 2.0 rebounds (1.0), 0.5 assists (1.0), 0.3 blocks (0.00), 9.4 minutes (7.0), .415 FG% (1.0), .381 3PT% (N/A)
Advanced stats, season: 7.4 PER, .481 TS%, 16.5 USG%, 87 ORtg, 107 DRtg, -0.2 VORP
Notable: Payne was recalled from the NBA D-League after averaging 26.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals through three games with the Erie BayHawks. The Michigan State alum has seen little playing time since his return, logging 6:31 minutes against the Lakers and sitting out against the Clippers.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 20, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 16.5 points (21.0), 9.9 rebounds (11.5), 1.5 assists (1.8), 1.8 blocks (1.75), 29.8 minutes (34.5), .549 FG% (.583), .391 3PT% (.444)
Advanced stats, season: 22.5 PER, .589 TS%, 24.3 USG%, 111 ORtg, 104 DRtg, 1.7 VORP
Notable: Well, that was fun. Towns and Gorgui Dieng put on a show in Utah last week, combining for 52 points and 27 rebounds. Last year's No. 1 overall pick did the bulk of the damage, racking up 32 points and 12 rebounds, before leading the Wolves in scoring again when he put up 21 points against Portland. His 32/12 performance made him the youngest player to put up at least 30 points and 10 rebounds since Kevin Durant.
NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.4 points (0.7), 3.3 rebounds (1.7), 1.4 assists (0.7), 0.4 blocks (0.0), 18.2 minutes (9.3), .415 FG% (.200), .354 3PT% (0)
Advanced stats, season: 9.1 PER, .540 TS%, 12.0 USG%, 106 ORtg, 109 DRtg, 0.4 VORP
Notable: It was a rough week for the former EuroLeague star, as Bjelica picked up just two points and connected on just one field goal attempt. Bjelica sat out against the Clippers and topped 10 minutes of playing time just once through three games.
TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 3.0 points (0), 1.7 rebounds (0), 1.6 assists (0), 0.1 blocks (0), 10.9 minutes (0), .355 FG% (0), .500 3PT% (0)
Advanced stats, season: 8.3 PER, .407 TS%, 18.9 USG%, 84 ORtg, 108 DRtg, -0.1 VORP
Notable: Tyus Jones was inactive in all four games this week.
