Rudy Gobert facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rudy Gobert

Gobert at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game
No. 27 – Minnesota Timberwolves
Center
Personal information
Born	(1992-06-26) June 26, 1992 (age 32) Saint-Quentin, France
Listed height	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight	258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27th overall
Selected by the Denver Nuggets
Pro career	2011–present
League	NBA
Career history
2011–2013	Cholet
2013–2022	Utah Jazz
2013–2014	→Bakersfield Jam
2022–present	Minnesota Timberwolves
Career highlights and awards
3× NBA All-Star (2020–2022) All-NBA Second Team (2017) 3× All-NBA Third Team (2019–2021) 4× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024) 7× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2017–2022, 2024) NBA rebounding leader (2022) NBA blocks leader (2017) French player of the year (2019)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  France Summer Olympics Silver 2020 Tokyo Team Silver 2024 Paris Team World Cup Bronze 2014 Spain Bronze 2019 China EuroBasket Silver 2022 Germany Bronze 2015 France

Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel (born June 26, 1992) is a French professional basketball player. He plays as a center for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is very tall, standing at 7 feet 1 inch. Rudy is known as one of the best defensive players in basketball history.

Rudy Gobert has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times. This ties him for the most wins ever with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. He has also been named to the All-NBA Team four times. He is a seven-time All-Defensive First Team member. Plus, he has been an NBA All-Star three times. Gobert led the NBA in blocks in the 2016–17 season. He also led the league in rebounds in the 2021–22 season.

In March 2020, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. He was the first NBA player to have a confirmed case. After this, the NBA decided to stop the 2019–20 season. It later started again in July of the same year. Rudy apologized for his actions and donated $500,000 to help people affected by COVID-19.

Rudy Gobert's Early Life

Rudy Gobert was born in Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France. His father, Rudy Bourgarel, played college basketball in the United States. He also played for the French national team. Rudy's parents separated when he was about three years old. He lived with his mother but often visited his father.

Rudy started playing basketball in 2003. He played for local clubs like JSC St-Quentin. Later, he joined Cholet Basket's training center in 2007. In 2010, he played for the French under-18 national team. He was the best scorer and rebounder for his team in that championship.

Rudy Gobert's Professional Basketball Career

Playing for Cholet (2011–2013)

From 2009 to 2011, Rudy mostly played for Cholet Basket's junior team. He played one game for the senior team in 2010–11. In the 2011–12 season, he averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The next season, 2012–13, he improved to 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Time with the Utah Jazz (2013–2022)

Becoming an NBA Rookie (2013–14)

Rudy Gobert entered the 2013 NBA draft. He set new records at the NBA Draft Combine for his long wingspan and high standing reach. These amazing measurements earned him the nickname "The Stifle Tower."

The Denver Nuggets picked Rudy 27th overall in the draft. However, he was quickly traded to the Utah Jazz. He signed his first NBA contract in July and joined the Jazz for the Summer League. Rudy played his first NBA game on November 24, scoring 10 points. He also spent some time playing for the Bakersfield Jam in the NBA Development League. He played in 45 games for the Jazz during his rookie season.

Improving in His Second Year (2014–15)

In July 2014, Rudy played for the Jazz again in the Summer League. The Jazz extended his contract through the 2015–16 season. On January 9, 2015, he blocked seven shots in a game. On March 3, he had 15 points and a career-high 24 rebounds. He ended the 2014–15 season with 25 games where he scored double-digits in two stats (double-doubles). He was also third in voting for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

Becoming a Full-Time Starter (2015–16)

Gobert in 2015

The Jazz extended Rudy's contract again through the 2016–17 season. In December 2015, he had a knee injury and missed 18 games. He returned in January 2016. On January 16, he had a great game with 18 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks. He continued to show strong defensive skills throughout the season.

First All-NBA Team and Blocks Leader (2016–17)

On October 31, 2016, Rudy signed a big four-year contract extension with the Jazz. This made him the highest-paid French athlete at the time. On December 6, 2016, he scored a career-high 22 points. He also had a season-high six blocks on December 10. On January 20, 2017, he set new career highs with 27 points and 25 rebounds in one game.

Rudy had a streak of 30 straight games with at least 10 rebounds. This is a rare achievement in the NBA. On March 22, he scored a career-high 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. In the playoffs, Rudy got injured in the first game. He missed two games but returned to help the Jazz win the series. At the end of the season, he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. He also earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.

Winning His First Defensive Player of the Year Award (2017–18)

Rudy started the 2017–18 season with many double-doubles. He led the league with 2.5 blocks per game. He had two knee injuries during the season, which caused him to miss games. He returned in January 2018. On March 2, he scored a season-high 26 points and had 16 rebounds. In May 2018, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team again. In June, he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He was the first Jazz player to win it since 1989.

Winning His Second Defensive Player of the Year Award (2018–19)

On December 25, 2018, Rudy blocked seven shots in a game. On December 29, he scored 25 points and had 16 rebounds. On January 12, 2019, he had a career-high eight assists. On January 14, he tied his career high with 25 rebounds. On March 25, he scored a season-high 27 points. He also set a new NBA record for the most dunks in a single season. He finished the season with 306 dunks. At the end of the season, Rudy won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award for the second year in a row. He also won the Alain Gilles Trophy as the French player of the year.

Becoming an All-Star for the First Time (2019–20)

In the 2019–20 season, Rudy averaged 15.7 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. He was a key player for the Jazz on both offense and defense. On January 30, 2020, Rudy was named an NBA All-Star for the first time. His teammate, Donovan Mitchell, was also selected.

On March 11, 2020, Rudy tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This led the NBA to stop its season. Rudy later apologized for his actions and donated money to help those affected by the virus. He was cleared of the virus on March 27.

Winning His Third Defensive Player of the Year Award (2020–21)

On December 20, 2020, Rudy signed a huge five-year contract extension with the Jazz. This was one of the biggest contracts in NBA history. On February 23, 2021, Rudy was named an NBA All-Star again. This was his second straight All-Star selection. On March 22, he had 21 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high nine blocks. On June 9, 2021, Rudy won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. This made him one of only four players in NBA history to win the award three or more times.

Leading the League in Rebounds (2021–22)

On February 3, 2022, Rudy was named an NBA All-Star for the third time. He finished third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year. Rudy led the entire league in rebounds per game with 14.7. He was also third in blocks per game with 2.1. He led the league in field goal percentage (how often he made his shots) with 71.3%. On May 20, Rudy was named to his sixth straight NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2022–Present)

First Season in Minnesota (2022–23)

On July 6, 2022, Rudy Gobert was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was a big trade involving several players and draft picks. On October 20, Rudy played his first game for the Timberwolves. He scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. On October 28, he had 22 points and 21 rebounds. This was his eighth career game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds.

On April 9, Rudy had a disagreement with his teammate Kyle Anderson during a game. Rudy was sent home early from the game. The next day, he was suspended for one game because of the incident.

Fourth DPOY Award and Conference Finals (2023–24)

On November 14, 2023, Rudy was involved in an incident during a game against the Golden State Warriors. He tried to separate two players during a small fight. Another player, Draymond Green, put Rudy in a chokehold. Rudy later called Green's actions "clown behavior."

On December 2, Rudy scored a season-high 26 points. He also had 12 rebounds and 3 blocks. Rudy was named Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time. This tied the record for the most wins in NBA history. He helped the Timberwolves have the best defense in the league.

On May 7, 2024, Rudy missed an important playoff game. He was there for the birth of his son. Even without him, the Timberwolves won the game. They reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

Contract Extension (2024–25)

On October 23, 2024, Rudy signed a new three-year contract extension with the Timberwolves. This shows he will be with the team for a long time.

Rudy Gobert's Personal Life

On February 21, 2024, Rudy announced on Instagram that he and Julia Bonilla were expecting a child. Their son, Roméo, was born on May 7, 2024.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2013–14	Utah	45	0	9.6	.486	—	.492	3.4	.2	.2	.9	2.3
2014–15	Utah	82	37	26.3	.604	.000	.623	9.5	1.3	.8	2.3	8.4
2015–16	Utah	61	60	31.7	.559	—	.569	11.0	1.5	.7	2.2	9.1
2016–17	Utah	81	81	33.9	.661	.000	.653	12.8	1.2	.6	2.6*	14.0
2017–18	Utah	56	56	32.4	.615	—	.681	10.7	1.4	.8	2.3	13.5
2018–19	Utah	81	80	31.8	.669*	—	.636	12.9	2.0	.8	2.3	15.9
2019–20	Utah	68	68	34.3	.693	—	.630	13.5	1.5	.8	2.0	15.1
2020–21	Utah	71	71	30.8	.675*	.000	.623	13.5	1.3	.6	2.7	14.3
2021–22	Utah	66	66	32.1	.713*	.000	.690	14.7*	1.1	.7	2.1	15.6
2022–23	Minnesota	70	70	30.7	.659	.000	.644	11.6	1.2	.8	1.4	13.4
2023–24	Minnesota	76	76	34.1	.661	.000	.638	12.9	1.3	.7	2.1	14.0
Career		757	665	30.4	.655	.000	.639	11.8	1.3	.7	2.1	12.7
All-Star		3	0	14.9	.900	—	.333	8.0	1.0	.3	.3	12.3

Play-in Games

Playoff Games

Rudy Gobert's National Team Career

Gobert playing for France in 2015

Junior National Team

Rudy won a bronze medal at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. He also won a silver medal at the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. In 2012, he was named to the All-Tournament team.

Senior National Team

Rudy was called to help the senior French national team prepare for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

In 2015, he helped France win a bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2015. He averaged 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks during the tournament. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Rudy played in five games for France. He also won a bronze medal with France at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

In the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Rudy led France to a silver medal. He started every game and averaged 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds. In 2022, he led France to a silver medal at the EuroBasket 2022. He was also selected to the All-Tournament Team. At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Rudy won another silver medal with France.

Images for kids

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  Gobert at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game

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  Gobert in 2015

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  Gobert playing for France in 2015

See Also

• List of NBA career blocks leaders
• List of NBA career field goal percentage leaders
• List of NBA annual rebounding leaders
• List of NBA single-season rebounding leaders
• NBA post-season records