The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday that they have signed guard Jules Bernard to a two-way contract. As per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed. Bernard will remain with Minnesota's NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, where he has been one of the league's most productive guards this season.
In 37 G League appearances (33 starts), Bernard is averaging 22.5 points while playing 34.5 minutes per game. He's shooting 42.5% to 42.9% from the field, 34.9% to 35.3% from three-point range, and 80.1% to 80.6% from the free-throw line. His all-around production included 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The 26-year-old has scored 30 points six times, including a season-high 38 points against the Long Island Nets on January 18. On February 7, he recorded 30 points with eight three-pointers, along with season highs of 13 rebounds and 13 assists in a 123–120 win over the Maine Celtics.
Bernard previously signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards through the 2023–24 season, in which he appeared in 19 games for a total of 149 minutes. He averaged 3.9 points on 45.3% shooting, including 37.9% from three, and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. He made his NBA debut on December 8, 2023 in a 124–97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Undrafted out of the UCLA Bruins in 2022, the Los Angeles native played four collegiate seasons, appearing in 130 games (65 starts) and posting career averages of 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.4 minutes per game, while shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.4% from three. As a senior in 2021–22, he averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds and earned Pac-12 All-Tournament Team honors.
The Timberwolves had a two-way slot open after waiving Johnny Juzang. Bernard is eligible to remain active for up to 14 NBA games for the remainder of the regular season and will need promotion to the standard 15-man roster to qualify for postseason play.
