How Rudy Gobert built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Rudy Gobert is a French professional basketball player currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, after being drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2013. He also represents France in international competitions. A towering presence at 7'1" with a 7'9" wingspan, Gobert plays center and is widely considered one of the best defensive players in basketball history.
In 2007, Rudy Gobert joined the Cholet Basket's cadet categories training center.
From 2009, Rudy Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team.
In 2010, Rudy Gobert participated in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship with the French under-18 national team.
To 2010, Rudy Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team.
On May 10, 2011, Rudy Gobert played his first game for the Cholet Basket senior team, recording 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 13 minutes against Pau-Lacq-Orthez.
In 2012, Rudy Gobert averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for Cholet.
On June 27, 2013, Rudy Gobert was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 27th overall pick and then traded to the Utah Jazz.
In 2013, Rudy Gobert declared for the NBA draft and set NBA Draft Combine records for wingspan and standing reach, earning him the nickname "The Stifle Tower".
In 2013, Rudy Gobert played sparingly for the Utah Jazz, appearing in 45 of the team's 82 regular season games.
In July 2014, Rudy Gobert re-joined the Jazz for the NBA Summer League.
On October 24, 2014, the Jazz exercised their third-year team option on Rudy Gobert's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.
On January 9, 2015, Rudy Gobert recorded a career-high seven blocked shots in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In April 2015, Rudy Gobert twice scored a career-high 20 points and finished the 2014–15 season with 25 double-doubles.
On October 17, 2015, the Jazz exercised their fourth-year team option on Rudy Gobert's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.
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 distinctions from Eurobasket.com.
On January 7, 2016, Rudy Gobert returned to action against the Houston Rockets after missing 18 games with an injury.
On October 31, 2016, Rudy Gobert signed a four-year, $102 million contract extension with the Jazz.
On December 6, 2016, Rudy Gobert scored a career-high 22 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns.
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.
In 2016, Rudy Gobert was named the NBA blocks leader.
On January 10, 2017, Rudy Gobert posted his franchise-best 25th consecutive game with 10-plus rebounds in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On January 20, 2017, Rudy Gobert recorded career highs of 27 points and 25 rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
On March 2, 2018, Rudy Gobert scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On December 25, 2018, Rudy Gobert recorded a season-high seven blocks in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
On January 12, 2019, Rudy Gobert had a career-high eight assists in a win over the Chicago Bulls.
In 2019, Rudy Gobert won the bronze medal with France at the FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 10.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game.
On December 20, 2020, Rudy Gobert signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Utah Jazz, making it the third-largest contract in NBA history and the largest ever for a center.
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.
On February 23, 2021, Rudy Gobert was named a Western Conference reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive All-Star selection.
On June 9, 2021, Rudy Gobert was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four years, becoming only the fourth player in NBA history to win the award three or more times.
In 2021, Rudy Gobert was the NBA rebounding leader.
On February 3, 2022, Rudy Gobert was named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, adding another accolade to his career.
On July 6, 2022, Rudy Gobert was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, draft rights to Walker Kessler, four first-round picks, and a 2026 first-round pick swap.
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.
On January 6, 2023, Rudy Gobert recorded 25 points and 21 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting in a 128–115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
On October 23, 2024, Rudy Gobert signed a three-year, $110 million contract extension with the Timberwolves.
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.
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, in a 103–96 victory, helping the Timberwolves win playoff rounds in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. He joined Kevin Garnett as the only players in Timberwolves history to record a 20–20 game in the NBA playoffs.
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