Timberwolves Exercise Team Options on Rubio, Williams

Minneapolis/St. Paul The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Saturday the team has exercised its fourth-year options on guard Ricky Rubio and forward Derrick Williams.

Rubio, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, joined the Wolves in 2011-12 and has played 98 games with the club. He holds career averages of 10.7 points, 7.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game, including setting the franchise single-season steals mark last year (2.40 spg). As a rookie in 2011-12, Rubio was named to NBA's All-Rookie First Team after averaging 10.6 points, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

Williams, the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has appeared in 144 games (71 starts) with the club, holding career averages of 10.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Williams started 56 games in 2012-13 and averaged 14.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 40 games (all starts) over the last three months of the season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves open up their 25th season on Wednesday, October 30 against the Orlando Magic. Tickets for Wednesdays home opener and Friday's game against Oklahoma City are available now by visiting Timberwolves.com/WolvesTix or by calling 612-673-1234.

Contact information:

Aaron Seehusen, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1602, seehusen@timberwolves.com

Dan Bell, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1603, bell@timberwolves.com

Alex King, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1632, king@timberwolves.com

www.timberwolves.com