History of Rudy Gobert in Timeline

Rudy Gobert is a French professional basketball player renowned for his defensive prowess. Currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, he previously played for the Utah Jazz. Standing at 7 ft 1 in, Gobert plays center and also represents the French national team in international competitions. He is widely considered one of the best defensive players in basketball history.

Sections (4)

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

1985: Father Plays College Basketball

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

1988: Father Plays College Basketball

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

June 26, 1992: Rudy Gobert Born

On June 26, 1992, Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel was born. He is a French professional basketball player currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Started Playing Basketball

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

2007: Joined Cholet Basket

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

2009: Plays for Cholet Basket junior team

From 2009 to 2011, Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team.

2010: Plays for Cholet Basket junior team

From 2009 to 2011, Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team.

2010: FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

In 2010, Rudy Gobert participated in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship with the French under-18 national team.

May 10, 2011: Senior Team Debut

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

2012: Averages 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.

June 27, 2013: Drafted by Denver Nuggets, Traded to Utah Jazz

On June 27, 2013, Rudy Gobert was selected with the 27th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets and was later traded to the Utah Jazz.

2013: Declared for NBA Draft

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".

2013: Acquired by Utah Jazz

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

2013: Played Sparingly for the Jazz

In 2013-14, Rudy Gobert played sparingly for the Utah Jazz, appearing in 45 of the team's 82 regular season games.

July 2014: Re-joined Jazz for Summer League

In July 2014, Rudy Gobert re-joined the Utah 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.

January 9, 2015: Career-High Seven Blocked Shots

On January 9, 2015, Rudy 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 Team Option

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.

December 2, 2015: Ruled Out with Sprained MCL

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

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. He was limited to just 15 minutes but chipped in six points and three rebounds.

October 31, 2016: Signed Contract Extension with Jazz

On October 31, 2016, Rudy Gobert signed a four-year, $102 million contract extension with the Jazz.

December 6, 2016: Scored Career-High 22 Points

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

2016: NBA Blocks Leader

In the 2016-17 season, Gobert was the NBA blocks leader.

January 10, 2017: 25th Consecutive Game With 10-Plus Rebounds

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

January 20, 2017: Career Highs in Points and Rebounds

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 with Bone Bruise

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: Season-High 26 Points

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 to NBA All-Defensive First Team

In May 2018, Rudy Gobert was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, becoming the third Jazz player ever to earn multiple All-Defensive First Team recognitions.

December 25, 2018: Season-High Seven Blocks

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 Eight 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 Postponement

In 2019, After Gobert and Mitchell tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA postponed the 2019-20 season until July 30.

2019: All-NBA Third Team

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

2019: Alain Gilles Trophy

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

2019: Averaged 15.7 Points and 14.6 Rebounds

Through his first 45 games in the 2019-20 season, Rudy Gobert averaged 15.7 points and 14.6 rebounds per game.

January 30, 2020: NBA All-Star Game Selection

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 Postponed After Gobert Tests Positive for COVID-19

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. Following Gobert's positive test, the NBA suspended the season indefinitely.

March 2020: Gobert Tests Positive for COVID-19

In March 2020, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first NBA player with a confirmed case. The NBA postponed the 2019-20 season.

December 20, 2020: Gobert Signs $205 Million Contract Extension with Jazz

On December 20, 2020, Rudy Gobert signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Utah Jazz. This contract extension was the third largest 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: Gobert Guides France to Silver 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: Gobert Named All-Star Reserve

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.

June 9, 2021: Gobert Wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year

On June 9, 2021, Rudy Gobert was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four years. This achievement made him the fourth player in NBA history to win the award three or more times.

2021: All-NBA Third Team

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

February 3, 2022: Gobert Named 2022 NBA All-Star Reserve

On February 3, 2022, Rudy Gobert was named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

July 6, 2022: Gobert Traded to the Timberwolves

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

2022: Gobert Leads France to Silver at EuroBasket

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

January 6, 2023: Gobert Logs 25 Points and 21 Rebounds in Win Over Clippers

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

November 14, 2023: Gobert Involved in Altercation During Warriors Game

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

February 21, 2024: Gobert Announces 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: Gobert Misses Playoff Game Due to Child's Birth

On May 7, 2024, Rudy Gobert missed a significant playoff game against the Denver Nuggets due to the birth of his child. Despite his absence, the Timberwolves secured a 2–0 series lead.