Timberwolves sign Euroleague MVP Bjelica

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have finalized their contract with Euroleague Most Valuable Player Nemanja Bjelica (nay-MAHN-yah

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have finalized their contract with Euroleague Most Valuable Player Nemanja Bjelica (nay-MAHN-yah bee-EHL-leets-zah).

The signing was announced Tuesday and an introductory news conference was scheduled for Wednesday.

The 6-foot-10 forward Bjelica was originally acquired in a draft-day trade in 2010 with the Washington Wizards, who selected him in the second round. This past season, Bjelica played for Fenerbahce Ulker in Turkey, averaging 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 54.1 percent from the field in 63 combined games between Euroleague and Turkish Basketball League play. He shot 37.4 percent from 3-point range.

The 27-year-old native of Serbia will wear the No. 88 jersey this season for the Timberwolves, the first player in franchise history to take that number.