The demeanor of Timberwolves rookie Andrew Wiggins is often cool and calm on the court, and it might contribute to his not getting more foul calls.

“It’s part of what this league is about is establishing who you are and how aggressive you are,” Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. “I like the fact that he hasn’t gotten some calls, but he keeps going to the basket. That’s a positive.”

Entering Friday, Wiggins ranked 40th in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game (4.4), but Saunders and his staff have told Wiggins he stands to benefit from communicating more with officials.

“He talked to the officials for the first time in the Dallas game” on Monday, Saunders said. “I had to ask him — the referee was standing right there — and I said, ‘Did you get fouled?’ And he said, “Yeah.” Then he talked to the referee a little bit.”

Wiggins said he could do a better job stating his case, but that his actions will mean more than his words.

“I just got to keep going hard to the basket, and I will get the calls,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins was able to get to the line in Friday’s 90-89 win over Memphis. He was 6 of 7 from the stripe, and he finished with a game-high 18 points.

There also is a counterintuitive element to it. Saunders said coaches often implore young players to do things the right way — respect people, the game and the community — but then ask them to litigate with referees.

“But you know on a court, between those lines, sometimes you have to stand up for yourself, too,” Saunders said.

One hopeful element is that the 6-foot-8 Wiggins adds about 15 pounds before next season. He currently weighs about 200.

“He looks very skinny, and he is,” Saunders said. “He gets bumped around, but he’s wiry. What we’d all like to do is fast-forward him about a year and about 15 pounds, but that’s not going to quite happen.”

Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/twolvesnow