Former Pacers pick who followed Shaquille O'Neal produces 10-assist performance for Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves ended their 2025 NBA Summer League campaign with a 104-101 loss to the Houston Rockets, marking their only defeat in the competition and preventing them from advancing to the semifinals of the Las Vegas Summer League.

In this game, 24-year-old shooting guard Tristen Newton delivered a standout performance, drawing attention with his all-around play. Newton was originally drafted 49th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA Draft but was released after just five appearances, later joining the Timberwolves where he played only three games in the 2024-25 season.

Against the Rockets, Newton recorded a dominant double-double, leading all scorers with 24 points and adding 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals in 33 minutes. His 10 assists were particularly notable for a shooting guard, potentially increasing his playing time during the regular season.

Newton's background includes five seasons in the NCAA, starting at East Carolina before transferring to UConn for his final two years. There, he averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, won an NCAA championship in 2024, and achieved four triple-doubles—the most by a power conference player since Shaquille O'Neal's six at LSU from 1989 to 1992.