The T-Wolves G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, are based in Des Moines, Iowa, which is just under three hours drive from Lincoln. So I made the trip out there last night to watch/cover McKinley Wright IV, who had been sent from the T-Wolves earlier this week.
Will be posting lots of game photos of him plus a video interview I did with him and a written story, probably Monday, just so that we can focus on the football game today, the hoops exhibition tomorrow and then McKinley can have his own day on Monday.
Ultimately, it was just a night where the shot wasn't falling; Wright IV went 4-of-13 from the floor. Still finished with 10 points though, and had five boards as well as six assists. Took smart shots — wouldn't say whatsoever that he was forcing shots, yet, as I alluded to, it was just one of those nights.
The Wolves played G League Ignite, an interesting new concept team comprised of many guys who opted to skip college ball and instead develop themselves there.
One such player is former five-star 2021 point guard Jaden Hardy, Wright IV's defensive assignment for most of the night. 30-plus offers out of Coronado High in Nevada — bluest of the blue chips, for sure.
That kid was aggressive, shifty and looked to get in isolation often. To Wright IV's credit, he played pretty stout defense on a guy four inches taller than he. Hardy was 3-of-7 from the floor with three turnovers and nine points in the 98-87 Wolves victory.
Was great to be able to see McKinley. The T-Wolves are really stacked at guard but he'll certainly get a lot of playing time down in Des Moines that hopefully will translate when he is called up to the Timberwolves.
Wright IV said that Patrick Beverley in particular has taken him under his wing, making Wright IV "his rookie," aka, Beverley has taken it upon himself to really keep an eye out for him, which is great. Mentioned Malik Beasley and D'Angelo Russell, too, as being mentors.
Finally, Wright IV still stays in contact with the Buffaloes, having hopped on a few Zoom calls with the youthful team recently. KJ Simpson even sent him some film from the Colorado Mines exhibition, which Wright IV is currently looking at before providing some feedback.
Great Buff, great young man — rooting very hard for McKinley, who's now living his dream.
Will be posting lots of game photos of him plus a video interview I did with him and a written story, probably Monday, just so that we can focus on the football game today, the hoops exhibition tomorrow and then McKinley can have his own day on Monday.
Ultimately, it was just a night where the shot wasn't falling; Wright IV went 4-of-13 from the floor. Still finished with 10 points though, and had five boards as well as six assists. Took smart shots — wouldn't say whatsoever that he was forcing shots, yet, as I alluded to, it was just one of those nights.
The Wolves played G League Ignite, an interesting new concept team comprised of many guys who opted to skip college ball and instead develop themselves there.
One such player is former five-star 2021 point guard Jaden Hardy, Wright IV's defensive assignment for most of the night. 30-plus offers out of Coronado High in Nevada — bluest of the blue chips, for sure.
That kid was aggressive, shifty and looked to get in isolation often. To Wright IV's credit, he played pretty stout defense on a guy four inches taller than he. Hardy was 3-of-7 from the floor with three turnovers and nine points in the 98-87 Wolves victory.
Was great to be able to see McKinley. The T-Wolves are really stacked at guard but he'll certainly get a lot of playing time down in Des Moines that hopefully will translate when he is called up to the Timberwolves.
Wright IV said that Patrick Beverley in particular has taken him under his wing, making Wright IV "his rookie," aka, Beverley has taken it upon himself to really keep an eye out for him, which is great. Mentioned Malik Beasley and D'Angelo Russell, too, as being mentors.
Finally, Wright IV still stays in contact with the Buffaloes, having hopped on a few Zoom calls with the youthful team recently. KJ Simpson even sent him some film from the Colorado Mines exhibition, which Wright IV is currently looking at before providing some feedback.
Great Buff, great young man — rooting very hard for McKinley, who's now living his dream.
