Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham learns the basics of the NBA from Mike Conley and John Wall

LAS VEGAS — One of the benefits for the Timberwolves in selecting Rob Dillingham is the chance for the 19-year-old Dillingham to play behind and learn from 36-year-old Mike Conley, the playmaker whose experience was a key factor in the Wolves’ run to the Western Conference finals.

However, one of Dillingham’s first interactions with Conley wasn’t about the offense or how to navigate the nuances of the Wolves’ system. Instead, he had questions about defense.

Shortly after the Wolves signed Dillingham, he said he reached out to Conley for advice on how to defend given their respective sizes. Conley is 6-foot-4, while Dillingham is 6-foot-1.

“He just told me not to let the players play on both sides and force them to one side,” Dillingham said. “Because if they play on both sides, the players are now too good.”

One criticism of Dillingham’s performance on defense coming out of college was that he defended so well, and president Tim Connelly said after signing Dillingham that the team would challenge him in that phase of the game. So far in summer league, Dillingham has had his moments of good defense. In the Wolves’ first game against the Pelicans, Dillingham forced a backcourt injury that summer league coach Chris Hines said changed the dynamic of the game.

That will be an ongoing process as Dillingham learns the nuances of the NBA game on both ends of the court. Head coach Chris Finch took Dillingham aside after the Wolves’ second game against the Pacers to give him some advice on late-game situations — like Dillingham’s offensive foul giving Indiana an extra possession in the final period — and to tell him to finish harder on a Pacers three-pointer. In summer league, Dillingham has been aggressive with his on-ball defense because he knows the Wolves will run after him and help him.

“Just more effort,” Dillingham said. “Really not that hard. Because I have teammates that play defense as well. When I get beat, we always have someone that’s sweating. I think with this team, it’s easier to play defense and push myself forward because it’s not always about staying with him all the time, but more about pushing him into our secondary defense.”

There was also another long-time NBA point guard who gave Dillingham some advice – John Wall. There are several connections between Dillingham and Wall, as they are both from North Carolina.

“He’s a legend if you’re from North Carolina,” Dillingham said.

Both went to Kentucky and played for John Calipari. Wall was present at Dillingham’s game against the Pacers.

“That’s my guy,” Dillingham said. “He knew me, texted me and stuff. In Kentucky, he came to all our games. I just hit him after the Pelicans game. I was super mad because I didn’t play that well. I just hit him and he just told me to play my game.”

That’s what the Wolves are trying to do as Dillingham adjusts to his new surroundings. He has an apartment in Minnesota but no furniture yet. He’s learning the offense, trying to find his shot while setting up others as the primary ball handler, because that’s what he could do in the Wolves’ second unit.

“Once he understands how to read the field and play pick and roll, he’s going to be a beast at getting everyone involved,” Hines said.

That’s a little different than what Dillingham did at Kentucky, where he said he was more of an offguard. Conley is adept at both roles for the Wolves, and Dillingham will have the opportunity to learn from him how to run the offense and take advantage of the attention Anthony Edwards draws.

“I feel like I have more of a role here where I play everything and do everything,” Dillingham said. “I’m developing into a player, not a star player, but an all-around player who can do anything for his team.”