Minnesota Timberwolves: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

4. Isaiah Rider (SG) — No. 5 pick in 1993 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Timberwolves):  229 GP, 18.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 45.9 FG%, 82.2 FT%

Isaiah Rider had an excellent first three seasons in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves. They selected him with the fifth overall pick of the 1993 NBA Draft. He was a tough guy to get along with, but played excellent basketball.

Rider was excellent offensively. During his three seasons on the Wolves, he averaged 18.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Producing numbers was never his problem. What held him back was ultimately his ability to fit on a team. He struggled to find a team that understood him and work with him despite leading multiple teams in scoring.

The Associated Press reported the following from Rider after the Atlanta Hawks suspended him for three games in 2000:

"“It’s not fun to be with a team that doesn’t want you around and is looking for a reason to get rid of you. Everyone wonders why I was moody at times, I had to deal with players going to the league with accusations that were unproven or anything.”"

Issues like that lead to an early end of Rider’s NBA career. Isaiah Rider possessed phenomenal athletic ability. He even won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1994 as seen below.