NBA BRIEFS

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed rookie forward Keita Bates-Diop to an undisclosed deal.

The team announced the signing on Saturday.

Bates-Diop, from Ohio State, was drafted by the Timberwolves last month in the second round at No. 48.

Bates-Diop was the leading scorer in the Big Ten as a fourth-year senior in 2017-18 at 19.8 points per game. He was limited to nine games as a junior because of a leg injury and took a redshirt for the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Bloomington, Illinois, native finished his college career as a 47.2 percent shooter from the field.

Pistons sign second-round pick Bruce Brown Jr.

DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have signed second-round draft pick Bruce Brown Jr.

The team did not announce contract terms Saturday. The 6-foot-5 Brown was taken with the 42nd pick in this year’s draft.

Brown averaged 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a game last season at Miami.

Brown was limited to 19 games during the 2017-18 season because of a left foot injury.

Nurkic staying with Portland

Portland has announced the signing of Jusuf Nurkic, who agreed earlier Friday to a four-year deal worth $48 million. Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey said Nurkic “is an integral part of the core of this roster.”

“He has been an impactful addition since joining our team and we are excited about the prospect of this longterm commitment leading to continued individual and team success,” Olshey said. The 23-year-old Nurkic led the Trail Blazers with 27 doubledoubles last season.