The Timberwolves will host a free NBA Draft Party at Lifetime Fitness in Target Center tomorrow night beginning at 6 p.m. Fans can watch ESPN’s live draft coverage on television screens within Lifetime Fitness, and refreshments will be available. Timberwolves broadcasters Tom Hanneman and Jim Petersen will host the party. Wolves basketball personnel will be making appearances throughout the night.
Gopher basketball public address announcer and emcee funny man Dick Jonckowski was on KFAN Monday with Paul Allen and Jeff Dubay. Jonckowski recalled the first joke he told Gopher coach Tubby Smith last season. It was about a guy who said: “My wife ran off with my best friend…and I miss him.”
Smith said three of his incoming recruits are enrolled in summer classes and working on strength training. Already here are incoming freshmen Ralph Sampson III, Colton Iverson, and junior college transfer Devron Bostock who will have two years of eligibility. Incoming freshman Devoe Joseph is trying to make the Canadian Olympic team and junior college transfer Paul Carter, who is working on academics, are not in Minneapolis yet. Smith said he “loves” the confident attitude of Joseph who tells the coach he will be a starting guard. Carter will have three years of eligibility.
Jamal Abu-Shamala, who will be a senior, is a member of the Jordanian Olympic team this summer. Shamala, Jonathan Williams and Travis Busch will be the Gophers’ only seniors next season.
Dave Mona, one of the local organizers of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, said tickets remain for all days of the event. Tickets are available at Cub Foods and Interlachen Country Club.
Mona said daily capacity is 22,500 at Interlachen. He also said a U.S. Open total attendance record is expected.
Gregg Wong, the retired Pioneer Press sports writer, will be the Twins’ official scorer for 50 home games this season. Sports author Stew Thornley will work the remaining games.
Twins general manager Bill Smith said on KSTP radio Sunday he expects injured infielders Matt Tolbert and Adam Everett to report around July 7 to the organization’s Fort Myers minor league team. After rehabilitation, Smith hopes the two can rejoin the Twins in late July.
The Twins Web site is encouraging fans to vote Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to the All-Star game. Mauer is now the leading vote recipient among American League catchers while Morneau is second to Kevin Youkilis of Boston for first basemen.