Timberwolves sign Loren Woods

[MavsFanFinley]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves signed second-round draft choice Loren Woods on Friday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Woods, who helped lead Arizona to the NCAA championship game in April, was Minnesota's only pick in the 2001 draft, chosen 46th overall.

The 23-year-old Woods, who had considered playing in Europe before signing with the Timberwolves, could not immediately be reached for comment.

``We are excited to get Loren signed,'' said Kevin McHale, Minnesota's vice president of basketball operations. ``He played very well in our summer league and showed great potential. He has a tremendous upside and he will help us in the near future.''

The 7-foot-1, 245-pound Woods will compete with Dean Garrett, Radoslav Nesterovic and Reggie Slater, as well as recently signed Joe Smith, at the center position.

Woods averaged 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds during his senior year at Arizona. He had 22 points, 11 rebounds and a title-game record four blocked shots in the Wildcats' 82-72 loss to Duke in the NCAA championship in Minneapolis.

Woods played his first two collegiate seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Arizona in 1998.

Woods averaged 14.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in three games for the Wolves in the Orlando Summer League earlier this month.

The Wolves forfeited their first-round draft pick for a series of illegal contracts with Smith. In total, Minnesota forfeited five first-round picks -- one of which was later returned.

[Bayliss]

Not a bad move for Minnesota. He's better than any of their other centers they have. My only problem with Loren Woods is he is too soft. Reminds me of a "bigger" Zendon Hamilton.

[#41]

Yes that's right, he's gonna bring them some power on the 5.