"When Ricky Rubio fired a no-look pass to Derrick Williams for a reverse dunk Monday night, the sellout crowd at Target Center rose and cheered in delight.

Particularly Jarinn Akana.

Akana is one of Rubio's Los Angeles-based agents. Dapper in black suit and tie, Akana was feeling good about Rubio's performance. He knows his client's six-assist NBA debut with the Timberwolves will only help the marketing of the point guard.

"The buzz (about Rubio) is definitely picking up," Akana understated after the game, a 104-100 loss to Oklahoma City. "Eventually, deals that we were looking at probably will start coming in."

Already, Rubio's impact is clear.

"His jersey was the hottest seller we had tonight," Timberwolves director of retail Jim Bastyr said after the game.

Rubio, who will make $3.48 million as a rookie, is worth marketing. He is flashy, charismatic, charming and humble.

Akana isn't as flashy as Rubio. He is business-smart, poised and practical.

Playing in Spain, Rubio had endorsement deals with Gillette razors and McDonald's restaurants. He doesn't have those now that he's in Minnesota.

"See," Rubio said before Monday's game, pointing to his jet-black beard. "