Robbie Hummel, the Timberwolves' only pick in the NBA draft in June, said he will play in Europe next year.
Hummel told the Lafayette (Ind.) Journal and Courier he will play in Spain for El Obradoiro.
He was taken 58th overall in the draft after a storied career at Purdue that was marred by ACL surgeries in his right knee two times in one year. Hummel said he didn't feel 100 percent last season, his senior year with the Boilermakers.
Hummel told the newspaper that he has the Timberwolves' blessing to play abroad.
He is already listed on El Obradoiro's roster.
According to Mark Bartelstein, Hummel's agent, the decision was made "in conjunction" with the Wolves and was made with playing time in mind. Hummel was going to have a difficult time getting minutes this season, and extended playing time is crucial for the 6-8 forward right now. While Hummel wasn't 100 percent as a senior at Purdue, he is back to 100 percent now, Bartelstein said. But he needs minutes to get his complete game back.
"It's always the second year after a torn ACL that you get your game back at a high level," Bartelstein said. "Now he's entering that phase, getting back to being an elite-level player again."
