By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Starting his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, after being selected with the 17th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm, Joan Beringer was fortunate enough to get some French connections, including experienced teammate Rudy Gobert, but improving his English is a different story, and connected to Anthony Edwards.
“When he speaks English, honestly I don’t really understand everything, but I try,” confessed 19-year-old Beringer in a recent interview with The Minnesota Star Tribune, referring to Ant. “I get to understand him more and more, but words I never heard. His vocabulary is like a dictionary. I really learn everything. Every word he says is a new word for me.”
“When I came here this summer in June, it was really hard,” he added on his English. “Every day, I think I’m better. I really learn every day about English, but also basketball, and even life off the court. It’s great to be here.”
Besides 33-year-old Gobert, a veteran of 13 NBA seasons, the Wolves also feature French assistant coach Max Lefevre and assistant video coordinator Jonathan Mesmacque.
“Every day I try to understand when everybody just speaks English, so when I’m with Rudy, Max, or Jon, those moments I can rest my mind a little bit,” explained Beringer.
So far in the 2025-26 Regular Season, the Wolves rookie has logged nine appearances, averaging 2.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.2 blocks, and 0.1 steals per contest.
Before the NBA, he had already expanded his career abroad by joining Cedevita Olimpija for the 2024-25 season, his first professional campaign following junior action in France. With the Ljubljana outfit, he displayed his talents in the BKT EuroCup, AdmiralBet ABA League, and domestic competitions in Slovenia.
Internationally, he represented France in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket.