Timberwolves Hosting Two Former Gophers for NBA Draft Workouts

The Minnesota Timberwolves are conducting final workouts and preparations for the upcoming NBA Draft, which will take place Thursday (June 22). Entering this week, the Wolves own just one pick and it’s near the end of the 2nd round (#53 overall). But that hasn’t stopped Tim Connelly & Co from doing their due diligence.

Former Gophers, Marcus Carr and Gabe Kalscheur, working out for Timberwolves

On Monday, that pre-draft homework includes workouts involving two former Gophers, Marcus Carr and Gabe Kalscheur, who were backcourt teammates for two seasons under Richard Pitino (’19-’20, ’20-’21).

Today's draft workout prospects (continued):

Marcus Carr (Texas)
Michael Durr (UCF)
Landers Nolley (Cincinnati)
Markquis Nowell (Kansas State)
Drew Peterson (USC)
Jake Stephens (Chattanooga)

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) June 19, 2023

Both Kalscheur (who’s from the Twin Cities) and Carr left the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball program after Richard Pitino was fired, following the ’20-’21 season and thrived at their new schools.

Gabe Kalscheur, who was touted as a “3 and D” star out of high school, landed at Iowa State. He averaged 11 points per game and helped Iowa State to two-straight NCAA tournament appearances. There’s no doubting Gabe’s defense or work ethic but he never lived up to be the type of deep threat (.321 career 3PT) he was hyped up to be coming out of DeLaSalle High School.

Marcus Carr is one of the prolific point guards to ever play at the University of Minnesota and that is saying something. Everything on offense ran through Marcus for much of his two years in maroon and gold, especially his last season where he averaged 19 points off 16 shots (38%) per game, playing more minutes than any other player in the Big Ten.

EXCLUSIVE: Every single person’s reaction to the Marcus Carr game pic.twitter.com/Ha4gpxcDEf

— The Barnyard (@BarnyardUMN) December 16, 2019

Carr was highly sought after when he hit the transfer portal, following the 2020-21 season, eventually landing at the University of Texas. At 23-years-old this last season, he led the Longhorns to the Elite 8, averaging a much more efficient (and team best) 16 points on 13 shots (43%) per game.

Expectations entering Draft night

Neither Carr or Kalscheur are expected to be drafted on Thursday but the Wolves care more about unsigned rookie free agents than most other teams, given the lack of draft capital they own. Marcus Carr is an intriguing prospect, in that regard, and if Kalscheur can regain his elite outside shooting prowess, great perimeter defense and high basketball IQ will always play.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan