How Boca Raton's Josh Minott earned his place with the Minnesota Timberwolves

Josh Minott heard the good news last week from the Minnesota Timberwolves front office. Minott was informed his commuting days, shuttling from Minneapolis to Des Moines, Iowa, are over for this season.

The 6-foot-8 combo forward from Boca Raton will stick with the Wolves for the remainder.

Not that Minott, the former St. Andrew’s star, was complaining. He’s made the roundtrip between the NBA Wolves and the G League Iowa Wolves nine times.

That’s the life of an NBA rookie selected in the second round, 45th in last June’s draft. Many of those picks never make it as far Minott has already. He’s played in 12 NBA games and 20 with the G League Wolves where he averaged 18.4 points.

“I’m getting better for sure,’’ Minott told The Palm Beach Post. “There’s a lot to learn - both in the G League and NBA. The G League, there’s good guys here.’’ Minott points to two Iowa teammates, former NBA No. 5 pick Emmanuel Mudiay and PJ Dozier.

Minott has no qualms about his rookie season after signing a 4-year, $6.9 million deal in which the first two years are guaranteed ($2.7M total).

Recent:Team Israel and its five Floridians hope to shock opponents at World Baseball Classic

More from Marc Berman:Emmitt Smith worried about CTE, his brain health and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

Minott says he usually takes a 45-minute flight to Iowa and, upon his return, drives three hours in a van. “It hasn’t been crazy,’’ said Minott, who spent one season at the University of Memphis before entering the draft. “It’s not ridiculous. The transportation has been pretty solid.’’

Of course, the Boca native still is getting accustomed to the wintry frigidness of Minneapolis. At least he returned to Florida during the weeklong All-Star Break.

“Definitely so,’’ Minott said of the temperature adjustment. “But we ended up leaving when it was the worst.  We were walking down the runway to the plane, it was negative 18, windy, blowing in your face. We escaped it to go out West.’’

With word he’ll stick in Minnesota, Minott still isn’t concerned about playing time. The 20-year-old is not in the rotation, getting in during lopsided games. (The 8th-place Wolves should make the play-in tournament at 34-34).

“Not something I’m stressing about,’’ Minott said. “I’m focused on my development. All I can control is how fast I can get better. Trying to put myself in best position to be impactful next year and help team in any way. That’s not to say I’m not ready for any opportunity I get this year.’’

After his St. Andrew’s days when he won Palm Beach Post Small Schools Player of the Year as a senior and a state championship as a junior, Minott chose Memphis. He started just five games but still elected to be one-and-done.

Nicknamed by his Memphis teammates “Baby Giannis’,’  the high flyer heard intel he would be a first-round pick. In fact, an NBA scout told the Palm Beach Post he had Minott at No. 21 on his board because of his athleticism and defensive versatility.

Memphis assistant Larry Brown told The New York Post before the draft, "(In) a couple of years, you might have a diamond."

Falling to the middle of the second round changed his outlook.

“I feel I have a lot more to prove and a lot more to catch up on,’’ Minott said. “I’ll take that challenge. I can’t go back in time or redo anything. Have to move forward knowing I’m going to have to outwork a lot more people.’’

Defense will be the key for Minott making it. There’s only one other Palm Beach County product in the NBA – Toronto’s Scott Barnes of West Palm Beach.

“It’s a privilege to be here regardless of where I’m from but it does feel good to represent a county that’s not typically known for producing NBA guys,’’ Minott said.

Iowa head coach Jeff Newton says Minott will go as far as his defense takes him. Working on using his length to be a better rebounder and rim protector at his position is vital. The coach feels Minott can be the next Jaden McDaniels, the valuable Wolves role player.

“I’m a big Josh fan,’’ Newton said. “He’s been super impressive with his attitude and work ethic.  He’s a really bright kid. He needs to focus on a couple of things that could make him a really good role player and have along career and make a lot of money. It starts on the defensive side. He’s got to go up and get ‘em. If you watched the game against Denver (5 rebounds, 17 minutes on Feb. 7), he was rebounding outside his area. That’s one of the biggest things he can help a team early on.’’

According to Newton, Minott has already shown more offensive potential as a rookie than expected. (Minott averaged just 6.6 points in college and shot just 14 percent from 3).

In 74 NBA minutes, Minott has hit 14 of 28 of his shots, making all six of his free throws. According to Minott, the 3-pointer is a weapon he needs to keep improving upon.

“It’s the 3-ball I’ve noticed in today’s game should be in every player’s arsenal no matter what position,’’ Minott said. “It’s something I focused a lot on, especially recently. Especially recently. I’ve gotten to a point where I’m extremely comfortable with it.

"I’m just trying to hesitate less. I firmly believe in my spot-up shooting ability, but defense will get me on the court initially, guarding multiple positions.’’

He’s been leaning on veterans Kyle Anderson and Taurean Prince and also his agent Aaron Turner, who reps Terry Rozier, Kira Lewis and Kevin Knox.

“I’m just soaking up information and they’re two vets I can learn a lot from,’’ Minott said.

He’s kept tabs on his alma-mater, saying the Scots had a “nice run’’ in winning the district title. He praised junior point guard Brooklyn Vick (“got a ton of potential for his age’’) and senior Andrew Sineway (“stepped up with leadership.’’)

Minott’s humility is refreshing. He isn’t prone to making big boasts. As Newton said, “He’s got the mindset on what he has to do to stick in the league, a good head on his shoulders.’’

“I don’t know if we’re completely honest,’’ Minott said of how he envisions his NBA  future. “I know it’s not what you’re trying to hear, but I genuinely don’t know. I’m just getting better and trusting in my shot. I believe in my defensive ability. I feel the tools are there, but I can’t describe a label to where I can go.’’

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton's Josh Minott to finish season with Minnesota TImberwolves