Season Preview - Randy Foye

FOYE'S BIO:

Guard Randy Foye, Minnesota's first-round pick in 2006 (No. 7 overall before being traded for the No. 6 pick and cash to Portland), gave Wolves fans a lot about which to be excited by making the NBA's All-Rookie team, averaging 10.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 2.8 apg. Even better, he was extremely productive when given minutes (21.2 points per 48 minutes). In addition, Foye scored 48 percent of his points in 4th quarters and OTs, and was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December.

After his successful rookie year, Foye showed marked improvement at the Las Vegas Summer League, leading Minnesota to a 4-1 record behind 18.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 3.0 apg to make the LVSL First Team along with teammate Craig Smith. Now feeling comfortable running the point, Foye better understands when to take his shot and when to pass within the rhythm of the offense.

Foye averaged 14.9 ppg in 131 games over his four-year career at Villanova, and was named Big East Conference Player of the Year after averaging 20.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg 3.0 apg and 1.2 spg to lead the Wildcats on deep NCAA Tourney runs in each of his final two years.

In high school, Foye was the New Jersey Player of the Year as a senior. He is very close to his grandmother back in East Jersey, and calls Craig Smith his best friend. Foye enjoys listening to Jay-Z and other artists and is excited to embrace a leadership role with the Timberwolves.

COACH J.B. BICKERSTAFF SAYS..."Randy has the tools to be a leader on this team, and as time goes on he'll develop into that role. He has great basketball IQ, and he's a scorer who can put the ball in the basket. He's going to have the ball in his hand a lot, and he's going to be the one that keeps us organized, keeps us structured in our offense and gets his teammates to their spots."

TIMBERWOLVES.COM SAYS...2007-08 is a big year for Randy Foye. We saw him develop consistently as a rookie after being taken with the No. 7 overall pick, and when given minutes he produced big-time. He followed up with a terrific, terrific Summer League in Vegas, but has been slowed by a sore knee in the preseason. Nonetheless, he should be healthy when the regular season starts, with an opportunity to show his improved knowledge of the game, better looking jump shot and the same explosiveness we saw last year to the entire NBA.

FOYE'S FIVE FACTS:

1) Foye's NCAA tournament runs at Villanova were cut short by current teammates in 2005 and '06. It was Rashad McCants in '05 with UNC, and Corey Brewer/Chris Richard in '06 with Florida. UNC and Florida both went on to win the NCAA Championships those years.

2) In the 2005 NCAA Tournament, Foye averaged 20 points in three games, before a heartbreaking loss to #1 seed and eventual national champion North Carolina in which Foye scored a then career-high 28 points. Villanova lost 67-66 on a controversial traveling call by Tom O'Neil.

3) Foye has the rare condition situs invertus, which means his organs are arranged as the mirror image of a normal person's: for example, his heart is in the right side of his chest rather than the left.

4) Foye's college career ended in Minneapolis, where his pro career began.

5) Foye remains extremely close with his grandmother, who raised him in East Jersey.