History of Rudy Gobert in Timeline

Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel is a French professional basketball player currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA. Drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2013, Gobert also plays for the French national team. Known as "the Stifle Tower", the 7'1" center is considered one of basketball's premier defensive players due to his size and reach.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Father Played for Marist Red Foxes

From 1985 to 1988, Rudy Gobert's father, Rudy Bourgarel, played college basketball in the United States for the Marist Red Foxes.

1988: Father Played for Marist Red Foxes

From 1985 to 1988, Rudy Gobert's father, Rudy Bourgarel, played college basketball in the United States for the Marist Red Foxes.

1989: Named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team

In May 2018, Rudy Gobert was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team, becoming the third Jazz player ever to earn multiple All-Defensive First Team recognitions, alongside Karl Malone (1997, 1998 and 1999) and Mark Eaton (1985, 1986 and 1989).

June 26, 1992: Rudy Gobert Born

On June 26, 1992, Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel was born in France. He is a French professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Started playing basketball

In 2003, Gobert started playing basketball for the JSC St-Quentin club.

2007: Joined Cholet Basket

In 2007, Gobert joined Cholet Basket's cadet categories training center.

2009: Played for Cholet Basket junior team

From 2009 to 2011, Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team, managing just one game for the senior team in 2010–11.

2010: Played for Cholet Basket junior team

From 2009 to 2011, Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team, managing just one game for the senior team in 2010–11.

2010: Participated in FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

In 2010, Gobert participated in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship with the French under-18 national team, finishing as the team's best scorer and rebounder.

May 10, 2011: Senior Team Debut

On May 10, 2011, Rudy Gobert debuted for the Cholet Basket senior team, recording 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 13 minutes against Pau-Lacq-Orthez.

2011: One Game for Senior Team

From 2009 to 2011, Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team, managing just one game for the senior team in 2010–11.

2012: Averaged 4.2 points

During the 2011–12 season, Rudy Gobert averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 29 games for Cholet Basket.

June 27, 2013: Selected by Denver Nuggets

On June 27, 2013, Gobert was selected with the 27th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets but was later traded on draft night to the Utah Jazz.

2013: Declared for NBA draft

In 2013, Gobert declared for the NBA draft and set NBA Draft Combine records for wingspan (7 feet 8+1⁄2 inches) and standing reach (9 feet 7 inches).

2013: Acquired by the Utah Jazz

In 2013, Rudy Gobert was acquired by the Utah Jazz during the NBA draft.

2013: Played sparingly for the Jazz

Rudy Gobert played sparingly for the Jazz in the 2013–14 season, making an appearance in 45 of the team's 82 regular season games.

July 2014: Re-joined Jazz for Summer League

In July 2014, Gobert re-joined the Jazz for the 2014 NBA Summer League.

October 24, 2014: Jazz exercised team option

On October 24, 2014, the Jazz exercised their third-year team option on Gobert's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.

2014: Bronze Medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup

In 2014, Rudy Gobert won the bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup with the French national team, averaging 4.1 points per game.

January 9, 2015: Career-high seven blocked shots

On January 9, 2015, Gobert recorded a career-high seven blocked shots in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

April 2015: Scored Career-high 20 points

In April 2015, Rudy Gobert twice scored a career-high 20 points, and finished the 2014–15 season with 25 double-doubles.

October 17, 2015: Jazz Exercised Fourth-Year Option

On October 17, 2015, the Jazz exercised their fourth-year team option on Gobert's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.

December 2, 2015: Ruled out Indefinitely

On December 2, 2015, Gobert was ruled out indefinitely after sustaining a sprained left MCL.

2015: Bronze at EuroBasket 2015 and All-European Championships Second Team Honors

In 2015, Rudy Gobert helped France to bronze at the EuroBasket 2015, averaging 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks during the tournament, while receiving All-European Championships Second Team distinction's from Eurobasket.com.

January 7, 2016: Returned to Action

On January 7, 2016, Rudy Gobert returned to action against the Houston Rockets after missing 18 games with a sprained left MCL.

October 31, 2016: Signed contract extension with the Jazz

On October 31, 2016, Rudy Gobert signed a four-year, $102 million contract extension with the Jazz, which at the time made him the best paid French athlete ever.

December 6, 2016: Scored a Career-High

On December 6, 2016, Rudy Gobert scored a career-high 22 points in a 112–105 win over the Phoenix Suns.

2016: Played at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Rudy Gobert played in five games for France, tallying 5.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

2016: NBA blocks leader

In the 2016 season, Gobert was the NBA blocks leader.

January 10, 2017: Posted franchise-best

On January 10, 2017, in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gobert posted his franchise-best 25th consecutive game with 10-plus rebounds (14).

January 20, 2017: Recorded Career Highs

On January 20, 2017, Rudy Gobert recorded career highs of 27 points and 25 rebounds in a 112–107 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks.

November 12, 2017: Ruled Out

On November 12, 2017, Rudy Gobert was ruled out for four-to-six weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee.

2017: All-NBA Second Team

In 2017, Gobert was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

March 2, 2018: Scored Season-High

On March 2, 2018, Rudy Gobert scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a 116–108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

May 2018: Named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team

December 25, 2018: Recorded a Season-High

On December 25, 2018, Rudy Gobert recorded a season-high seven blocks in a 117–96 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

January 12, 2019: Career-High Assists

On January 12, 2019, Rudy Gobert had a career-high eight assists in a 110–102 win over the Chicago Bulls.

2019: NBA Season Postponed

After teammates of Gobert's on the Utah Jazz, including Donovan Mitchell, also tested positive in March 2020, the NBA postponed the 2019–20 season until its resumption on July 30 of the same year.

2019: All-NBA Third Team

In 2019, Gobert was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

2019: Won the Alain Gilles Trophy

In 2019, Rudy Gobert won the Alain Gilles Trophy as the French player of the year.

2019: Bronze Medal at the 2019 FIBA World Cup

In 2019, Rudy Gobert won the bronze medal with France at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 10.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game.

2019: Averaged 15.7 points and 14.6 rebounds per game

Through his first 45 games in the 2019–20 season, Gobert averaged 15.7 points and 14.6 rebounds per game and had become an anchor for the Jazz on offense as well as defense.

January 30, 2020: Named a Western Conference Reserve

On January 30, 2020, Rudy Gobert, alongside teammate Donovan Mitchell, was named a Western Conference reserve for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

March 11, 2020: Game Postponement and Positive COVID-19 Test

On March 11, 2020, the game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed just before tip-off because Rudy Gobert was placed on the injury list due to illness and subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Following Gobert's positive test, the NBA suspended the season indefinitely.

March 2020: Tests positive for COVID-19

In March 2020, Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first NBA player with a confirmed case of the virus.

December 20, 2020: Contract Extension with the Jazz

On December 20, 2020, Rudy Gobert signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Utah Jazz, which was the third-largest contract in NBA history and the largest ever for a center.

2020: All-NBA Third Team

In 2020, Gobert was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

2020: Silver Medal at Tokyo Olympics

In the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Rudy Gobert guided France to a silver medal, starting each game and averaging 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.

February 23, 2021: NBA All-Star Selection

On February 23, 2021, Rudy Gobert and his teammate Donovan Mitchell were named as Western Conference reserves for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking their second consecutive All-Star selection.

June 9, 2021: NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

On June 9, 2021, Rudy Gobert was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four years, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to win the award three or more times. This also marked the first time in NBA history where four consecutive defensive player of the year awards had been won by international players.

2021: All-NBA Third Team

In 2021, Gobert was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

2021: NBA rebounding leader

In the 2021-22 season, Gobert was the NBA rebounding leader.

2021: Lead the NBA in dunks

Rudy Gobert went on to lead the NBA in dunks for four consecutive seasons (2018-2019 through 2021-2022).

February 3, 2022: Named NBA All-Star Reserve

On February 3, 2022, Rudy Gobert was named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. He also finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

July 6, 2022: Trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves

On July 6, 2022, Rudy Gobert was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to center Walker Kessler, four first-round picks, and a 2026 first-round pick swap.

2022: Silver at EuroBasket 2022

In 2022, Rudy Gobert led France to silver at the EuroBasket 2022, averaging 12.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks during the tournament, while being selected to the All-Tournament Team.

2022: Lead the NBA in dunks

Rudy Gobert went on to lead the NBA in dunks for four consecutive seasons (2018-2019 through 2021-2022).

January 6, 2023: 25 Points and 21 Rebounds

On January 6, 2023, Rudy Gobert recorded 25 points and 21 rebounds while shooting 11-of-15 from the field in a 128–115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

November 14, 2023: Involvement in Altercation during Game

On November 14, 2023, Rudy Gobert was involved in an altercation during a game against the Golden State Warriors. Gobert entered the brawl to separate Klay Thompson and teammate Jaden McDaniels, but Warriors forward Draymond Green put Gobert into a chokehold, leading to ejections for Green, Thompson, and McDaniels.

February 21, 2024: Announcement of Expecting a Child

On February 21, 2024, Rudy Gobert announced on an Instagram post that he was expecting a child with Julia Bonilla.

May 7, 2024: Missed Playoff Game Due to Birth of Child

On May 7, 2024, Rudy Gobert missed a significant playoff game against the Denver Nuggets due to the birth of his child. The Timberwolves still won the game 2-0.

October 23, 2024: Contract Extension with the Timberwolves

On October 23, 2024, Rudy Gobert signed a three-year, $110 million contract extension with the Timberwolves.

2024: Silver Medal at Paris Olympics

In the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Rudy Gobert won a silver medal with France, averaging 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

April 30, 2025: Playoff Career Highs and Victory

On April 30, 2025, in Game 5 of the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers, Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double of 27 points and 24 rebounds, both playoff career highs. It helped the Timberwolves win playoff rounds in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history, joining Kevin Garnett as the only Timberwolves players to record a 20-20 game in the NBA playoffs.