MINNEAPOLIS -- Though his NBA playing time has been scarce,
32 minutes as a rookie and none in his second season, Ndudi Ebi
doesn't regret skipping college.
The 20-year-old forward is, however, disappointed with his
effort -- even though he's spent countless hours after practice
working on his game with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I refuse to go through this again next year," said Ebi,
drafted with the 26th pick in the first round in 2003. "I didn't
play this season, because I didn't work hard enough. Apparently
hard work gets rewarded, and I haven't worked hard enough."
Wolves interim coach Kevin McHale doesn't share that view,
acknowledging Ebi would've played some this year had he not
developed a stress fracture in his foot -- sustained well after he
was placed on the injured list to start the season.
"One thing about Ndudi -- he will work very hard," McHale said
Thursday. "He just needs to get that next level of playing and
experience, which is always hard."
Ebi, who has added 25 to 30 pounds to the 6-foot-9, 195-pound
frame he brought out of high school in Houston, has worked hard on
improving his jump shot.
"You look at him when he came to training camp last year and
you look at him today -- he's a totally different player," teammate
Fred Hoiberg said.
The stress fracture is no longer an issue, but Ebi sprained his
ankle in practice on Tuesday. Still, the Wolves would like to play
him before the season ends.
"It took me 2 years really to understand how the NBA works,"
Ebi said. "It's a learning experience."