Donte DiVincenzo Aims to Shine in NBA Conference Finals

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Donte DiVincenzo is back on track as he heads into the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After a challenging season, the former Salesianum School basketball star is finding his rhythm just when it matters most.

The Timberwolves face the Thunder in a best-of-seven series. Oklahoma City won Game 1, 114-88, on May 20, with Game 2 scheduled for May 22.

DiVincenzo, 28, has a storied basketball background, crowned the state high school Player of the Year in 2015 during his senior year at Salesianum. He helped lead the team to its second consecutive state title and earned All-State honors as a junior in 2014. His high school success secured him a scholarship to Villanova, where he excelled.

After playing sparingly his freshman year, a foot injury sidelined DiVincenzo as Villanova won the NCAA title in 2016. However, he bounced back two years later, winning the Most Outstanding Player award in the NCAA Tournament and contributing to another championship for the Wildcats as the sixth man.

Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018 with the 17th overall pick, DiVincenzo’s NBA career has seen ups and downs. Now in his seventh season, he suits up for the Timberwolves, where he posted an average of 11.7 points per game during the regular season.

His journey has not been without hurdles; injuries and inconsistent performance plagued his earlier stints with the Bucks, Kings, and Warriors. Last season, he forged success with the ‘Nova Knicks in New York, averaging a career-high 15.5 points per game, which led to his trade to Minnesota this past October.

“Obviously you don’t expect it at the time,” DiVincenzo reflected about the trade, recalling how it disrupted his life just before the season began. Initially adjusting to a bench role proved difficult, as he faced struggles in his shooting performance.

After missing 19 games due to a toe injury early this year, DiVincenzo’s future with the Timberwolves appeared uncertain, leading to trade rumors. “We’re building towards something great, we feel like we have something great here,” he maintained in December, staying positive through the challenges.

As the Timberwolves regained momentum, winning eight of their last 10 regular-season games, DiVincenzo played a vital role. He averaged 42.2% from the three-point line, showcasing his aggressive mindset during games. “I need to come out, be aggressive, and live with the results,” he stated after a playoff win against Golden State.

As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 2 against the Thunder, DiVincenzo remains optimistic, highlighting the importance of making shots to loosen the defense. Another Salesianum graduate, Bones Hyland, who is also with Minnesota, has averaged 9.5 points over his career but is not on the playoff roster. The Timberwolves will face the Thunder on May 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN.