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 16th edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker, covering March 3-9.
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): 20.7 points (21.0), 3.7 rebounds (4.8), 1.9 assists (2.5), 0.6 blocks (0.25), 35.0 minutes (33.3), .452 FG% (.559), .278 3PT% (.625)
Advanced stats, season: 16.4 PER, .534 TS%, 27.7 USG%, 105 ORtg, 103 DRtg, -0.3 VORP
Notable: Wiggins helped lead the charge as the Timberwolves set a new franchise record for field-goal percentage, shooting .684 against the Brooklyn Nets en route to a 132-118 win.
ZACH LAVINE (age 20, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 13.6 points (18.8), 3.0 rebounds (2.0), 3.1 assists (3.3), 0.2 blocks (0.00), 26.3 minutes (39.0), .445 FG% (.525), .361 3PT% (.400)
Advanced stats, season: 14.4 PER, .534 TS%, 24.9 USG%, 102 ORtg, 112 DRtg, -1.8 VORP
Notable: LaVine was a big part of the show in Brooklyn, scoring 21 points and going 9-for-10 from the field. His trademark flash was on display against the Hornets, as he threw down a seemingly effortless 360 dunk that made the rounds on social media.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 24, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 2.8 points (4.3), 2.2 rebounds (2.3), 0.5 assists (0.8), 0.2 blocks (0.00), 9.8 minutes (10.5), .390 FG% (.438), .321 3PT% (.250)
Advanced stats, season: 6.3 PER, .451 TS%, 17.3 USG%, 84 ORtg, 108 DRtg, -0.4 VORP
Notable: Payne saw little action last week logging more than 20 minutes of playing time in a big loss to the San Antonio Spurs. However, the Michigan State product's input remains minimal after he posted just six points, three rebounds and two assists over that span.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 20, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 17.7 points (24.0), 10.2 rebounds (9.0), 1.7 assists (3.0), 1.8 blocks (1.50), 31.0 minutes (33.5), .545 FG% (.657), .344 3PT% (.333)
Advanced stats, season: 23.1 PER, .593 TS%, 24.8 USG%, 113 ORtg, 106 DRtg, 2.4 VORP
Notable: Towns led the Timberwolves in scoring in three of their four games this week, including a 28-point outburst in Minnesota's franchise-record setting win over the Brooklyn Nets.
NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.5 points (N/A), 3.2 rebounds (N/A), 1.3 assists (N/A), 0.3 blocks (N/A), 17.9 minutes (N/A), .429 FG% (N/A), .354 3PT% (N/A)
Advanced stats, season: 9.3 PER, .549 TS%, 12.0 USG%, 108 ORtg, 111 DRtg, 0.3 VORP
Notable: Bjelica has been sidelined for 11 games with a foot injury, but practiced on Thursday and intends to return to action on Friday.
TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.4 points (5.8), 1.7 rebounds (1.8), 2.6 assists (4.3), 0.1 blocks (0.00), 13.9 minutes (20.0), .381 FG% (.500), .500 3PT% (.500)
Advanced stats, season: 13.0 PER, .488 TS%, 17.1 USG%, 104 ORtg, 112 DRtg, -0.1 VORP
Notable: Jones turned in his best stat-line as a pro on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs. The rookie scored 10 points and added six assists, as the Timberwolves fell 116-91 at home.
