Trust played a role in signing of Rubio

It took more than two years to convince Ricky Rubio to become a member of the Timberwolves after the Spanish star was selected fifth overall in the 2009 NBA draft. Wolves boss David Kahn explained how he finally got the job done.

"I think we, over the course of two years, developed a trusting relationship with him and his family," said Kahn, who officially announced the Rubio signing Tuesday. "I think we demonstrated through that two-year period that we really believed in him, believed that he could be a very significant player in our league, and that they could trust us. I think, at the end of the day, that went a long way."

Rubio averaged 4.8 points, 4.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 21.3 minutes per game through 42 games in the ABC league with Regal FC Barcelona this year and at the end of the season, he didn't start in some of the team's Euroleague Championship games. So if you are a NBA scout and you look at those statistics, you would wonder if it would be worth even drafting him in the first round and paying him the $5 million-plus for each of the three years, when there were other outstanding players available.

But Kahn said he believes those statistics are misleading because of the style of play in Spain, and judging Rubio's NBA potential on them is misguided.

"I don't think you should look at his statistics in Europe as being at all comparable to the way we play over here, either in college or the pros," Kahn said. "Look, somebody decided in Spain that this kid was pretty good because he became a professional at the age of 14 and at the age of 17 played in the gold- medal game against our U.S. team. So even in Spain there's been a recognition that he has certain capabilities that make him a very valuable player, and I think those capabilities will translate very well to us."

Does Kahn believe Rubio can start for a team that won only 17 games last season?

"I want to be careful that we don't overplay this for Ricky," Kahn said. "He wants to be a starter and expects to be a starter at some point in his career. I don't want people to expect too much too soon. He is 20. That's the amazing thing. When we drafted him, he was the youngest player in the draft at age 18.

"He has his whole life in front of him. I want to be very careful that we at least try to manage expectations, although I don't know if we're doing a very good job this week with that."

Draft big for Wolves

While the signing of Rubio has overshadowed Thursday's NBA draft, Kahn said: "If I had to predict, the likelihood is that we would keep [the second overall pick], but you never know.

"Possibly because I think we're in a position where we have enough players on the team now that we can afford to be somewhat opportunistic, and so I don't know yet what we'll do tomorrow night, but I think we have some exciting options."

Kahn said he believes teams will be drafting for need and maybe the Wolves, who have a lot of needs, will keep their 20th choice in the first round and not give it away.

If the Wolves don't make a deal, they likely will take Derrick Williams of Arizona unless Cleveland passes on Duke's Kyrie Irving. Kahn also speaks highly of Turkish center Enes Kanter.

"I do like him. I think he's going to be a very productive center in our league for a number of years," Kahn said. "I mean he's only 19. It's just so amazing to me how young these kids are. This kid has a body that's hard to believe. He's 6-10, 260 [pounds], 6 percent body fat, he's really sturdy. I think that he'll have a very long and productive career."

Jottings • Eleven of the 24 players who started the season on the Class AAA Rochester roster are six-year players who could be free agents at the end of this year, according to Twins farm director Jim Rantz. This is counting catcher Rene Rivera, who started the season at Rochester and will battle Drew Butera for the backup catching spot now that Joe Mauer is healthy. Pitcher Phil Dumatrait, now with the Twins, was a six-year free agent when he started the season with Rochester. So with the number of Twins free agents who are arbitration-eligible next year, they could have a shortage of players.

• The Gophers' 2011 football squad will include eight walk-ons, and they all are in summer school because, under a new NCAA rule, the university can pay for their school expenses just like the athletic department does for the varsity players who all are in summer school. The group includes tight ends Gavin Bronson of Apple Valley and Ernie Heifort of Bemidji, defensive end Jared Herrman of Falcon Heights, kickers David Platner of Eden Prairie and Peter Mortell of Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame Academy, linebacker Dominic Schultz of Port Huron, Mich., wide receiver Luke Trucilla of Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pa., and offensive lineman Jon Christenson of Minnetonka.

• The Gophers got a 2012 commitment this week from an outstanding 6-3, 225 pound linebacker, Drew Davis of Needham Broughton (N.C.) High School.

• Hopkins star wide receiver Andre McDonald, the first commitment for Gophers coach Jerry Kill, has de-committed and will open his recruiting, although he might still remain a Gopher. Apparently McDonald has been offered a scholarship by Ohio State, according to Rivals.com. McDonald will play in the first U.S. Marine Corps All-American Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix next January. He also is considering Iowa. McDonald did attend camp with the Gophers this spring.

• The Gophers are ranked 28th nationally in the most recent Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings. The Gophers rank seventh in the Learfield Big Ten rankings ahead of Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern and Purdue. The final rankings will come out June 30.

• Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher has made it clear that goalie coach Bob Mason is an institution with the NHL team and will be retained as a member of the new coaching staff.

• You wonder if there is any chance the Wild will draft Seth Ambroz, the New Prague hockey star who tested high at the NHL combine in Toronto. He was planning to play with the Gophers and is now heading back to Omaha for another year in the USHL. And it is hard to understand how Kyle Rau, who had a fantastic season for Eden Prairie and helped the Eagles win the Class 2A hockey title as the tournament MVP, is rated only 14th among Minnesota players eligible for the draft and 177th overall.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 6:40, 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. • shartman@startribune.com