Rick Rickert likened it to an audition. What he really is in the midst of is the most important six weeks of his basketball career.

Since declaring for the NBA Draft after his sophomore season with the Gophers, the 6-10 Rickert has started working out for teams that could select him June 26.

Perform well, and Rickert could be selected in the draft's first round and sign a guaranteed contract worth at least $2.1 million over three years. Perform poorly, however, and he could slide to the second round, where little is guaranteed.

On Tuesday, Rickert went through a two-hour workout with the Timberwolves, who have the 26th pick in the draft. It was Rickert's sixth workout for an NBA team this spring. The Duluth native has six more scheduled over the next two-plus weeks, and more might be added.