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 18th edition of the 2015-16 Timberpups Tracker, covering March 17-23.
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 21, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 20.7 points (23.0), 3.6 rebounds (3.7), 2.0 assists (4.0), 0.6 blocks (0.3), 35.2 minutes (39.3), 45.8 FG% (54.2), 28.9 3PT% (40.0)
Advanced stats, season: 16.5 PER, 53.9 TS%, 27.3 USG%, 105 ORtg, 113 DRtg, -0.1 VORP
Notable: The past week was another huge one for the Wolves' starters, and it was certainly no exception for Wiggins. He scored at least 21 points in each game and played 40 minutes in two of the three games. No reason to expect anything but a strong finish to the season from him.ta 114, Memphis 108
ZACH LAVINE (age 21, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 14.1 points (19.0), 2.9 rebounds (1.3), 3.1 assists (3.7), 0.8 steals (1.7), 0.2 blocks (0.3), 27.3 minutes (39.7), 45.4 FG% (50.0), 38.6 3PT% (52.9)
Advanced stats, season: 14.6 PER, 54.7 TS%, 24.4 USG%, 104 ORtg, 112 DRtg, 0.3 VORP
Notable: LaVine is giving the Wolves' brass a serious argument that he's the long-term answer for Minnesota at the two-guard position. He continues to shoot the ball well from 2- and 3-point range and has played at least 30 minutes each game for the past month. Again, no reason to expect anything but a strong end to the season.
ADREIAN PAYNE (age 25, second season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 2.6 points (0.0), 2.1 rebounds (2.0), 0.5 assists (2.0), 0.3 steals (0.0), 0.2 blocks (0.0), 9.5 minutes (6.0), 37.8 FG% (00.0), 32.1 3PT% (N/A)
Advanced stats, season: 5.8 PER, 43.8 TS%, 17.1 USG%, 83 ORtg, 108 DRtg, -0.4 VORP
Notable: Payne saw just six minutes of court time this past week and was a non-factor on both ends of the floor. Interim coach Sam Mitchell has used D-League call up Greg Smith more than Payne to supplement the team's frontcourt depth.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 20, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 18.1 points (27.3), 10.3 rebounds (11), 1.7 assists (1.7), 0.7 steals (0.7) 1.7 blocks (2.0), 31.5 minutes (36.0), 54.8 FG% (60.3), 34.4 3PT% (33.3)
Advanced stats, season: 22.9 PER, 59.6 TS%, 24.8 USG%, 113 ORtg, 106 DRtg, 2.7 VORP
Notable: If there was any doubt remaining about the rookie of the year, Towns squashed it with arguably his best statistical week of the season. He was ridiculously efficient in the win Wednesday over Sacramento, scoring 26 points on 11-for-17 shooting in 29:09. He hasn't shown much fatigue 71 games into his first season, and there is no reason to think he will in the final 11.
NEMANJA BJELICA (age 27, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.3 points (4.0), 3.1 rebounds (2.0), 1.3 assists (0.0), 0.4 steals (0.0), 0.3 blocks (0.0), 17.2 minutes (4.0), 42.4 FG% (50.0), 34.0 3PT% (00.0)
Advanced stats, season: 8.8 PER, 53.9 TS%, 12.3 USG%, 105 ORtg, 111 DRtg, 0.2 VORP
Notable: Bjelica is wrapping up a forgettable rookie season by riding the bench. Perhaps he still isn't 100 percent after his injury, but he has played in just three games since the All-Star break. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the team's long-term plans.
TYUS JONES (age 19, first season)
Statistical season averages (last week): 4.2 points (1.7), 1.4 rebounds (0.7), 2.6 assists (3.0), 0.6 steals (1.0), 0.1 blocks (0.0), 14.3 minutes (14.0), 35.8 FG% (18.2), 40.0 3PT% (00.0)
Advanced stats, season: 11.0 PER, 45.5 TS%, 17.0 USG%, 97 ORtg, 111 DRtg, -0.2 VORP
Notable: Jones had a forgettable week in his continued audition as the team's backup point guard, shooting well below his season averages. The 19-year-old certainly has the basketball acumen to become a contributor but often appears physically overmatched.
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