Rudy Gobert Biography: Early Life, Career, and Achievements
Rudy Gobert is a French professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He was born on June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, Aisne, in the north of France. Gobert’s father, Rudy Bourgarel, is from Guadeloupe and played college basketball in the United States for the Marist Red Foxes from 1985 to 1988. Bourgarel played professional basketball in Paris and Saint-Quentin, where he met Gobert’s mother.
Gobert began his basketball career playing for JSC St-Quentin before moving on to play for Saint-Quentin. He then played for Cholet Basket in the French League before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft. He was later traded to the Utah Jazz, where he has played his entire NBA career. Gobert has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team five times and has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award three times.
Key Takeaways
- Rudy Gobert is a French professional basketball player who is known for his defensive skills.
- He began his basketball career playing for JSC St-Quentin before moving on to play for Saint-Quentin and Cholet Basket.
- Gobert has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award three times and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team five times.
Early Life
Rudy Gobert was born on June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, France. His parents are Rudy Bourgarel, an ex-French basketball international, and Corinne Gobert. As a child, Gobert’s mother worked hard to provide for him and his siblings.
Gobert started playing basketball at a young age and joined JSC St-Quentin, a local basketball club, before playing for Saint-Quentin. In 2007, he joined Cholet Basket’s cadet categories training center, where he developed his skills and athleticism.
In 2010, Gobert participated in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship with the French under-18 national team, where he finished as the team’s best scorer and rebounder. This performance caught the attention of scouts and helped him secure a spot on Cholet Basket’s professional team.
Gobert’s height and wingspan, which measures 7’9″, make him a formidable presence on the court. He has used his physical attributes to become one of the best defenders in the NBA, earning him the nickname “The Stifle Tower.”
High School Career
Rudy Gobert attended JSC St-Quentin club during his high school career. He started playing basketball at the age of 12 and quickly became a standout player. Gobert’s height and wingspan were already impressive, and he used them to his advantage on the court.
During his time at JSC St-Quentin, Gobert helped lead the team to a French Youth Championship in 2009. He also participated in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in 2010, where he averaged 6.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Gobert’s success in high school earned him a spot on the French national team for the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He continued to impress on the international stage, averaging 7.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
Overall, Gobert’s high school career set the foundation for his future success in basketball. His impressive size and skill set caught the attention of scouts and coaches, leading to his eventual selection in the 2013 NBA draft.
Professional Career
Draft and Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert was selected 27th overall in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. However, he was traded to the Utah Jazz on draft night. Gobert played sparingly in his rookie season, but he showed promise in his limited minutes.
Rise to Stardom
Gobert’s breakout season came in 2016-2017, when he averaged 14 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Gobert’s impressive play continued in the following seasons, as he was named an NBA All-Star three times and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award three times.
Defensive Prowess
Gobert is known for his defensive prowess, particularly his ability to protect the rim. He has led the NBA in blocked shots twice and is considered one of the best rim protectors in the league. Gobert’s defensive abilities have helped the Utah Jazz become one of the top defensive teams in the league.
Contract Extensions and Salary
In December 2020, Gobert signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Utah Jazz. This made him the highest-paid center in the NBA. Gobert’s salary reflects his importance to the Jazz and his standing as one of the best players in the league.
International Career
French National Team
Gobert has represented the French national basketball team in various international competitions. He first played for the national team in 2014 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup held in Spain. In the tournament, he helped France reach the quarterfinals and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
He has since played for France in the EuroBasket tournament, where he helped them win a bronze medal in 2015 and a silver medal in 2019. In the 2019 tournament, he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after averaging 15.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
Olympic Games
Gobert was also a member of the French national team that competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the tournament, he helped France reach the quarterfinals before losing to Spain. He averaged 8.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in the tournament.
Gobert was set to represent France in the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, but the tournament was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. France was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Italy, with Gobert averaging 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in the tournament.
Personal Life
Rudy Gobert was born on June 26, 1992, in San-Quentin, France, to Rudy Bourgarel, a former French basketball player, and Corinne Gobert. He has two older brothers, Rudy and Chris, and a younger sister, Ines. Gobert’s mother worked hard to support her family, and he has stated that she is his biggest inspiration.
Charity Work
Off the court, Gobert is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated money and time to various causes, including cancer research and disaster relief. In 2020, Gobert donated $500,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts and pledged an additional $200,000 to help part-time employees affected by the NBA’s suspension due to the pandemic.
COVID-19 Impact
Gobert made headlines in March 2020 when he became the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19. The positive test led to the suspension of the NBA season and sparked a national conversation about the seriousness of the virus. Gobert faced criticism for his initial dismissive attitude towards the virus, but he has since apologized and used his platform to raise awareness about the importance of taking the pandemic seriously.
Despite the initial backlash, Gobert has continued to excel on the court. In the 2020-2021 season, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team and helped lead the Utah Jazz to the top seed in the Western Conference.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout his career, Rudy Gobert has been recognized for his exceptional defensive skills and rebounding ability. He has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award three times, which is tied for the third-most in NBA history. He won the award in the 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2020-21 seasons.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Gobert has also been named to the All-NBA Team four times. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team in the 2018-19 season and the All-NBA Third Team in the 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2019-20 seasons.
Gobert has also been recognized for his outstanding defensive performance with six All-Defensive First Team selections. He was named to the All-Defensive First Team in the 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 seasons.
In addition to his NBA accolades, Gobert has also represented France in international competitions. He won a bronze medal with the French national team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and a silver medal at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.
Overall, Rudy Gobert’s numerous awards and achievements are a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work on the court.
Legacy
Rudy Gobert’s legacy in the NBA is defined by his dominant defensive play. He is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and his presence in the paint is a game-changer for the Utah Jazz. Gobert’s length and athleticism allow him to protect the rim and alter shots, making it difficult for opposing teams to score.
Gobert’s impact on the game goes beyond his individual accolades. The Jazz have consistently been one of the top defensive teams in the league with Gobert anchoring the defense. In the 2020-2021 season, the Jazz finished with the best record in the NBA largely due to their strong defense, which was led by Gobert.
Off the court, Gobert has also made an impact. He has been an advocate for COVID-19 safety protocols and was the first NBA player to test positive for the virus, which led to the suspension of the NBA season in March 2020. Gobert has since donated money to COVID-19 relief efforts and has encouraged others to take the virus seriously.
Overall, Rudy Gobert’s legacy in the NBA will be remembered for his dominant defensive play and his impact on the Utah Jazz’s success. Off the court, he has also made a positive impact by advocating for COVID-19 safety and donating to relief efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rudy Gobert’s net worth?
As of 2021, Rudy Gobert’s net worth is estimated to be around $40 million, according to SportyTell.
What team did Rudy Gobert play for before joining the NBA?
Before joining the NBA, Rudy Gobert played for the Cholet Basket junior team, as well as the senior team for one game in 2010-2011, according to Wikipedia.
What is Rudy Gobert’s wingspan?
Rudy Gobert’s wingspan is 7 feet 9 inches (2.36 m), which is the longest in the NBA, according to NBA.com.
What is Rudy Gobert’s height?
Rudy Gobert’s height is 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 m), according to ESPN.
What college did Rudy Gobert attend?
Rudy Gobert did not attend college. He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft straight out of high school, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
What is Rudy Gobert’s salary in the NBA?
As of the 2022-2023 NBA season, Rudy Gobert’s salary is $35,344,828, according to ESPN.