Wolves work to forge connection with Rubio

MINNEAPOLIS -- It's been almost a year since the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio with the fifth overall pick. The teenager still has at least another year before he will come to ply his trade in the NBA.

But the Timberwolves are working hard to establish a connection with Rubio, even while he remains overseas, thousands of miles from Minnesota. Team president David Kahn and coach Kurt Rambis paid Rubio a visit last month in an effort to make him feel a part of the Timberwolves.

It's all part of an effort to make the eventual transition from Spain to the United States as painless as possible.

Rubio told The Associated Press that he likes what he's hearing from Kahn and Rambis and is paying close attention to what the Timberwolves are doing.