Rick Rickert has no career plans other than to play professional basketball, no matter where he's selected this month in the NBA draft.

Rickert worked out Tuesday morning for the Timberwolves in hopes of impressing the team, which selects 26th in the first round of the June 26 draft. Rickert has forgone his final two years of eligibility at the University of Minnesota and signed with agent Bill Duffy.

Post players Jerome Beasley of North Dakota, Tommy Smith of Arizona State and Marquis Estill of Kentucky joined Rickert for the workout. Sophomore point guards Chris Thomas of Notre Dame and Mo Williams of Alabama also were at the Wolves' practice court.

Only the 29 players taken in the first round receive guaranteed contracts. Players chosen in the second round receive no such contract and have a much more difficult time establishing themselves in the league.

Rickert, a 6-foot-11 forward who averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in two seasons with the Gophers, is willing to take the chance that one of the 29 franchises will invest in his potential by picking him in the first round.