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Watch: Wolves rookie Joan Beringer starts Summer League in style

Beringer blocked the first two Pelicans shots of Summer League and scored a couple early buckets.
Will Ragatz|
Joan Beringer was the 17th overall pick in this year's draft.
Joan Beringer was the 17th overall pick in this year's draft. | Minnesota Timberwolves on YouTube

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Minnesota Timberwolves

That's how you make a strong first impression. It took less than 30 seconds for Timberwolves rookie Joan Beringer to show why he's known for his shot-blocking, as he rejected the first two Pelicans shot attempts of Thursday's Summer League opener in Las Vegas.

First Beringer sent back a post look from Yves Missi, who was an NBA all-rookie selection last year. Then, on the same possession, Beringer rejected a running layup attempt from seventh overall pick Jeremiah Fears.

That's what the 18-year-old Frenchman, who the Wolves took with the 17th pick in this year's draft, can bring to the table. He's listed at 6'10" and 230 pounds, with a 7'4" wingspan and all kinds of leaping ability. Rim protection is one of his greatest strengths.

Beringer added a third block on his opening stint of the game and two more early in the second quarter, including an emphatic one against fellow first-rounder Derik Queen.

He also showed what's capable of on the offensive end of the floor, displaying some impressive touch on a short hook baseline hook shot for his first Summer League bucket.

He then caught a lob from Terrence Shannon Jr., which figures to be one of the primary ways Beringer scores in the NBA.

Beringer's first stint ended with a hard fall when his poster dunk attempt was blocked by Missi. Fortunately, he was OK.

Update: Beringer finished the first half with 11 points, 5 blocks, 4 rebounds, and a steal.

We'll have more coverage of Beringer's performance and today's game upon its conclusion here at Timberwolves On SI.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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