During the 2025 NBA Draft, the Georgetown center Thomas Sorber was known as one of the most controversial but most interesting players in the middle of the first round. Taken 17th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sorber has a rare combination of physical strength, shot-blocking abilities, and raw offensive talent that made a number of front offices intrigued, even despite his lack of a full college season.
The Rise and Fall of a Congressional Body-Snatcher
Thomas Sorber hopes to make it into the first round of the draft after playing a truncated freshman year at Georgetown and flashing enough ability to keep his name on the first-round radar. Though an injury he sustained in a midseason game of the toes curtailed his season, Sorber opted to stand by in the draft, which was a clear indication that NBA teams still had confidence in his future as well as how he would rebound.
At the beginning of the draft, there were analysts who omitted Sorber in their top player lists because they were anticipating that he would be choosing to go back to school since his development is incomplete and he was under concerns of being a liability on the defensive end. However, these presumptions soon changed when Sorber flew in on the draft combine at the NBA with an incredible 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-1 standing reach. Those superlative physical attributes changed the way teams considered him to be a full-time center at the next level.
Usages of Defensive Tools Are Noticeable
The thing that distinguishes Thomas Sorber among many other big men in this category is the fact that he is an impressive playmaker on the defensive side. His steals-per-100 possessions, in his college stint, were 2.7, and his block rate stood at 7.6 percent. The figures, however, indicate more than mere numbers, and indicate expectation, timing, and awareness at the defensive end.
Although the shot blocking is not a high-flying enhancement that Sorber can brag to some of his peers, he blocks shots at the rim and creates entry traffic in passing lanes rather unexpectedly. He has a huge wingspan, and this allows him to challenge drives and floaters/hook shots, even when he is not in the right spot.
Nevertheless, there has been doubt regarding his capability to transition to faster guards or play in space. Lateral quickness is a question mark on him, and scouts have written that he usually loses ground when he is taken outside the paint. Nevertheless, he projects as a drop cover or as a classic rim protector.
Offense: Flashy Talent, However, a Product in Development
Thomas Sorber is less definite on the offensive side of his game. He has been steady under the basket and can shoot either right or left. Sometimes, he fluent a jab-step midrange jumper, and this can imply that he has not shown everything he can in his game.
However, his output was not always equal to his promise. Sorber did not finish well near the rim and sometimes looked lost in confined areas, there, too. His rebounding was also a disappointment, as he did not get in the rebounds as expected of a big man (his rebound percentage stood at 15.6); a percentage considered not to match his size or his length.
Why Minnesota Makes Sense
The Minnesota Timberwolves are a compelling landing spot for Sorber. With Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid on the roster but facing uncertain contract situations in the coming years, the Timberwolves saw an opportunity to draft a potential interior anchor at a discount.
Sorber won’t be rushed into big minutes right away. Instead, he’ll have the chance to learn behind two established frontcourt players. Minnesota’s defensive identity also plays to his strengths. If he can absorb techniques from Gobert while improving his own timing and positioning, the upside could be significant.
NBA Role Projection
In the short term, Sorber projects as a depth big who can give reliable minutes off the bench in matchups that call for size and rim protection. Over time, if he improves his foot speed, rebounding motor, and offensive efficiency, he could become a starting-caliber center in a defensive-minded system.
There is no guarantee he reaches that level, but with his frame and instincts, his floor as a situational defender with some offensive utility makes him a valuable bet in the middle of the first round.
