Disrespect.
That was the term Josh Minott used to describe his basketball journey thus far.
Entering the University of Memphis as a top-100 high school prospect, Minott had high expectations for himself. But given the team’s roster construction and with Minott’s shooting inefficiencies, he struggled to find a consistent role on the Tigers. Even with his limited role, Minott showed flashes of elite defense and finishing. However, he averaged only 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. So many were skeptical when he declared for the NBA Draft.
Still, Josh kept his name in the draft, and the Minnesota Timberwolves took him with the 45th overall pick.
Upon being drafted, prospects tend to feel a sense of accomplishment often highlighted by smiles and occasional tears of joy. But not Minott. Instead, he wore his dire emotions on his sage green suit sleeve on draft night.
“Angry, angry… I don’t know what to say right now. I’m coming for everybody. I thought I was going to go higher. That’s all I got for that one,” he told the Miami Herald in an interview following Mark Tatum’s announcement.
Minott’s rawness, especially with his jump shooting, is the likeliest reason he fell to 45. In 33 games under Penny Hardaway, the 6’8″ forward shot an abysmal 2-of-14 (14.3%) from three. Below you can see all of his jump shots taken while at Memphis, and the frequent inconsistencies in his form.
But the shooting woes would soon begin to work themselves out. After spending time working with Minnesota’s coaching staff on keeping a more consistent shooting form, Josh proved to be a decent 3-point shooter through the 30 games he played in the G League and NBA. In the 15 games he played for the Iowa Wolves, Minott managed to up both his 3-point volume and percentage, shooting 7-24 (29.2%) from beyond the arc. In the 15 games he suited up for Minnesota, he managed to knock down 2 of his 6 (33.3%) threes. And while he still has a long way to go if he wants to give the Timberwolves a reliable option on the perimeter, his improvements call for optimism.
Now in the midst of his second NBA Summer League, Minott is still out to prove his game deserves more respect. During the Timberwolves’ opening SL game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Minott guarded Dyson Daniels, the 8th pick in Minott’s draft class. So with the chance to showcase that he was overlooked in last summer’s draft cycle, Minott took full advantage of the opportunity at hand.
Minott:
- 20 points
- 4 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 1 steal
- 2 blocks
- 53.8 FG% (7-13)
- 100 FT% (6-6)
- 2 turnovers
- +16 plus/minus
Daniels:
- 18 points
- 5 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 4 steals
- 1 block
- 42.9 FG% (6-14)
- 75 FT% (6-8)
- 4 turnovers
- -13 plus/minus
But Summer League doesn’t seem to be enough for Mr. Minott. Following Minnesota’s victory over the Pelicans, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes interviewed Josh to discuss his impressive 20-point outing.
And while Haynes’ mispronunciation was likely an honest mistake, Minott understood the significance.
Minott knows that he’s still being overlooked by the national media, and that simply performing well in Summer League isn’t going to gain their attention. He’ll have to prove to Chris Finch he’s worthy of a spot in the rotation, and do it over the likes of more proven players such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Troy Brown Jr. But given the energy and tenacity that he brings, coupled with his will to prove he deserves more recognition, it shouldn’t be long before more people around the league know Minott’s name — and how to properly pronounce it.
