Leonard Signs With Timberwolves

Gary Leonard’s threats to play in Italy were short-lived, as the 7-foot-1 center signed a three-year contract Monday to play with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Leonard, taken in the second round out of Missouri, became the first draft choice ever to sign with the NBA expansion team. First-rounder Pooh Richardson and Doug West, another second-round choice, have yet to sign.

Negotiations with Richardson, who also listened to offers from an Italian club, are reportedly near completion.

Leonard was a big man but also a big underachiever for Missouri, where he averaged only 10.4 points and 5.5 rebounds in his best season.

As a senior, he helped Missouri reach the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA tournament, and many observers thought he would go in the middle of the first round of the college draft. Instead, he lasted until 34th overall.

Timberwolves president Bob Stein said Leonard may have gone so late because he hadn’t shown enough desire during his college career. However, Leonard impressed the Timberwolves by playing for them in a three-game exhibition tournament in Texas last month, even though he was unsigned.

“Gary’s willingness to come in on his own proved to us his enthusiasm and commitment to improve,” said Stein, who declined to give specific terms of the contract. “He is a player with good physical skills. It’s going to be up to him how good those skills become.”

Also Monday, the Timberwolves announced the hiring of their first assistant under Coach Bill Musselman. He is Tom Thibodeau, 31, who had been assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Harvard since 1985.