The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed unrestricted free-agent center Greg Stiemsma to a contract.
“Greg had a fine rookie season for the Boston Celtics and is just beginning to mature as a player,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “The physical nature of his game and his ability to rebound and block shots will be a welcome addition to our front court.”
Stiemsma, 26, spent the 2011-12 season with Boston, averaging 2.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.55 blocks in 55 games, and appeared in 19 playoff games. He ranked 14th in blocked shots per game and second in blocked shots per minute (5.32).
The 6-11 center was previously signed by the Wolves on April 13, 2010 and waived on Sept. 10, 2010. Stiemsma played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League in 2009-10, averaging 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in 45 games and was named the NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year. He appeared in four games for Sioux Falls in 2011 before signing with the Celtics. Stiemsma also played in South Korea in 2009-10 and Turkey in 2008-09 and 2010-11. He was a member of the 2011 USA National Team that won a bronze medal at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara. The Randolph, Wis., native played collegiately for four years at the University of Wisconsin.
