Minnesota signs former UCLA quarterback to two-way deal
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday that they have signed guard Gilles Bernard two-way contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, per team policy. Bernard will remain with the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s NBA G League affiliate, where he has been one of the league’s most productive guards this season.
In 37 G League appearances (33 starts), Bernard is averaging between 22.5 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest. He shoots between 42.5% and 42.9% from the field, 34.9% to 35.3% from three-point range, and 80.1% to 80.6% from the free throw line. His multiple production includes 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The 26-year-old has scored 30 points six times, including a game-high 38 against the Long Island Nets on January 18. On February 7, he scored 30 points with eight 3-pointers, along with a season-high 13 rebounds and 13 assists in a 123–120 win over the Maine Celtics.
Bernard previously had a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards through the 2023-24 season, appearing in 19 games for a total of 149 minutes. He averaged 3.9 points on 45.3% shooting, including 37.9% from three, and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. He made his NBA debut on December 8, 2023 in a 124-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Undrafted out of the UCLA Bruins in 2022, the Los Angeles native played four collegiate seasons, appearing in 130 games (65 starts) and posting career averages of 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.4 minutes per game while shooting 43.0% and 3% from the field. As a senior in 2021-22, he averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds and earned Pac-12 All-Tournament honors.
The Timberwolves had a two-way slot open after waiving Johnny Yousang. Bernard is eligible to play in up to 14 NBA games until the end of the regular season and will need to be promoted to the standard 15-man roster to qualify for postseason play.
2026-02-26 09:44:00
