The Timberwolves don't ask Jarred Vanderbilt to score all that much.
Vanderbilt's role is to do everything but score, mostly by defending and rebounding.
When he attacks the offensive glass, Vanderbilt tends to draw at least a couple of fouls per game and there are times he has to head to the free-throw line.
The results have been better there for Vanderbilt this season than last.
Last season, Vanderbilt shot 56% from the line. That number improved to 83% entering Wednesday's game against Utah.
"I put a lot of work in this summer, putting up hundreds of free throws a day," Vanderbilt said. "I didn't think it was form, just more so confidence and knowing when I go to the line, I'm going to make it. All that comes with reps."
Vanderbilt said he practiced more free throws over the summer because he realized he wasn't shooting enough per day. He said last year he was a "foul-for-profit guy," meaning teams might have fouled him at strategic times hoping he would miss both attempts. He's going to the line less this year (1.3 times per game in 23 minutes per night compared with 1.6 in 17.8 minutes) because he's hitting more frequently, he said.
"I do feel confident going to the line and everything feels great," Vanderbilt said. "Even the misses I feel are good misses, on point. I have great rhythm and good confidence going to the line now."