​A former Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick has found a new team, and his career path continues to weave through international basketball after years in the NBA and the G League. Jaylen Nowell, the ex-Wolves guard who began his professional journey in Minnesota, is set to keep playing overseas, joining Besiktas in Turkey, according to BasketNews. This move marks Nowell’s third league in the span since 2025, underscoring a dynamic and globe-trotting professional basketball career that has kept him competing at high levels around the world.
Nowell, 27, was a second-round pick who began his college career at Washington, where his performance helped set the stage for his entry into the NBA. He finished his NCAA tenure with 70 college games under his belt, posting a field goal percentage of 47.6% and an average of 16.1 points per game, statistics that hinted at his scoring and versatility. After completing his college stint, Nowell joined the Timberwolves, where his NBA journey began in earnest.
In Minnesota, Nowell initially faced the challenge many young players encounter: playing time. He recorded 15 appearances in his rookie season, followed by 42 appearances in his sophomore year. His playing time increased in the subsequent seasons, and he surpassed the 60-game mark in each of the next two campaigns. Across four seasons with the Timberwolves, Nowell logged an average of 17.0 minutes per game, contributing 9.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.7% from the field. These numbers reflected a solid contributor who could score and facilitate when given minutes, even as his role evolved with the team.
The 2023 season brought a new chapter for Nowell. He signed with the Sacramento Kings, but his tenure with the organization was brief, as he was waived before the season began. This led him to join the NBA G League affiliate in Stockton, continuing his development and keeping NBA aspirations alive. The following season featured a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-2024 campaign, and later another 10-day deal with the Detroit Pistons. That year, Nowell appeared in 13 NBA games, adding more professional experience to his resume.
For the 2024-2025 season, Nowell signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, but his time with the team lasted eight games before he was waived again. He then returned to the NBA G League, joining the Washington Wizards’ organization, and broadened his playing circuit beyond the United States. His professional odyssey also included stints in China and Puerto Rico, expanding his international resume and exposing him to diverse playing styles and coaching philosophies. Now, he is set to add Turkey to the list of countries where he has played as he joins Besiktas in Turkey.
Nowell’s career is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. From his NCAA days at Washington to his time with the Timberwolves and his multiple NBA and G League assignments, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to adapt to new systems, teammates, and competition levels. His transition to Besiktas in Turkey signals another opportunity to showcase his scoring ability, playmaking, and experience on a fresh stage. For fans and followers who have tracked Nowell’s journey, this move represents another exciting chapter in a career defined by resilience, mobility, and a passion for the game.
As Nowell begins this new European chapter, observers will be watching how his experience translates to a different basketball culture and its style of play. Turkey’s basketball environment offers a competitive league and a platform for Nowell to demonstrate his shot-making, decision-making, and leadership on the court. His extensive background, including his time in the NBA and G League, should position him as a valuable contributor for Besiktas, contributing scoring punch, guard versatility, and veteran savvy to aid the team’s goals in domestic and regional competitions.
This narrative, which has seen Nowell navigate the highs and lows of professional basketball across multiple leagues, highlights a career marked by persistence and continuous pursuit of opportunities to compete at a high level. His journey—from NCAA standout to NBA player to international veteran—illustrates the global nature of modern basketball and the many paths players forge to maintain success in the sport they love. As he takes the court in Turkey, fans will be eager to see how this next chapter unfolds, and how Nowell’s experience translates into on-court impact for Besiktas in the seasons ahead.