Meet the new Wolves

Last update: June 26, 2009 - 12:38 AM

Here's a closer look at the players the Wolves ended up with on draft night (and how they were acquired):

RICKY RUBIO

Drafted: First round, No. 5

Team: DKV Joventut Badalona in Spanish pro league. Year: Pro since he was 14. Age: 18.

Height: 6-4. Weight: 180.

Inside stuff: Precocious 18-year-old wowed Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul in Olympic play with a style that invites comparisons to Pistol Pete Maravich but Rubio might be more like a young Jason Kidd. ... Great ballhandler with fantastic vision and flair. ... Tall and has a long reach for a point guard. ... Tough, but suspect shooter and athlete. ... Teams were torn because he has a $6.6 million buyout with his Spanish team he is trying to negotiate down that will come out of his own pocket, and he was practically nonexistent in showing up for pre-draft workouts.

JONNY FLYNN

Drafted: First round, No. 6

College: Syracuse. Year: Sophomore. Age: 20.

Height: 5-11¼. Weight: 196.

Inside stuff: Charismatic point guard who impressed NBA teams during his pre-draft visits with his personality and leadership. ... Mature, confident. ... Can break down defenses with his dribble and makes plays. ... Might still be in school if not for his 67-minute, 34-point, 11-assist performance in a six-overtime victory over Connecticut in the Big East tournament. ... Plays the drums.

WAYNE ELLINGTON

Drafted: First round, No. 28

College: North Carolina. Year: Junior. Age: 21.

Height: 6-5. Weight: 202.

Inside stuff: Polished offensive player who can sink the long-range jumper, hit the pull-up or drive to the basket and finish at the rim. Has picture-perfect form on his shooting motion. ... Plays with fluidity and exudes confidence. ... Was a high school teammate of Duke guard Gerald Henderson, the No. 12 overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats. Also lettered in track for two years in high school, competing in the high, triple and long jumps.

HENK NOREL

Drafted: Second round, No. 47

Team: DKV Joventut in Spain. Age: 21.

Height: 6-10. Weight: 230.

Inside stuff: Played with Ricky Rubio in Spain. ... Terrific outside shooter for a player of his size. A complementary scorer from the high post. ... Most likely will remain in Europe for another season.

Note: The Wolves selected point guard Ty Lawson with their 18th pick in the first round and traded him to Denver for a future first-round pick that the Nuggets had acquired from Charlotte. ... In the second round, the Wolves selected Nick Calathes, a 6-6 guard out of Florida, and later traded him to Dallas for a 2010 second-round pick and cash considerations.

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