Last Updated on September 29, 2007 7:45 pm by admin
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -The Minnesota Timberwolves signed second-round draft pick Chris Richard on Saturday.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Florida was the 41st overall selection in this year’s draft. He has spent most of the past two months in the Twin Cities working out with teammates despite not having a contract.
The sides reached an agreement Saturday morning, hours before the Timberwolves were scheduled to fly to Istanbul, Turkey for training camp.
“I felt like I did a lot of work in the offseason,” Richard said. “I’ve been working hard and I felt like I at least deserved a chance to get on the court before we left.”
As a senior in 2006-07, Richard averaged 6.2 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game. During last season’s run to the NCAA championship, the Lakeland, Fla., native averaged nine points on 84.6 percent shooting.
Kevin McHale, Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations, said Richard will bring size and toughness to the frontcourt.
“I like a lot of the stuff he does,” McHale said. “He’s a big banger. He’s got good feet for a big guy. He likes to put his body on you.”