History of Rudy Gobert in Timeline

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.

Sections (4)

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

1977: Jazz franchise record

In 1977, Truck Robinson set twice the Jazz franchise record of 27 rebounds.

1985: Father played for Marist Red Foxes

In 1985, Rudy Gobert's father, Rudy Bourgarel, began playing college basketball in the United States for the Marist Red Foxes.

1985: Mark Eaton All-Defensive First Team

Mark Eaton was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1985.

1986: Mark Eaton All-Defensive First Team

Mark Eaton was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1986.

1988: Father ends College Basketball Career

In 1988, Rudy Gobert's father, Rudy Bourgarel, ended playing college basketball in the United States for the Marist Red Foxes.

1989: Mark Eaton All-Defensive First Team

Mark Eaton was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1989.

June 26, 1992: Rudy Gobert Born

On June 26, 1992, Rudy Gobert was born in France.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Karl Malone All-Defensive First Team

Karl Malone was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1997.

1997: Only four other NBA players have had a 30-game streak of 10-rebound games

Since 1997, only four other NBA players have had a 30-game streak of 10-rebound games.

1998: Karl Malone All-Defensive First Team

Karl Malone was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1998.

1999: Karl Malone All-Defensive First Team

Karl Malone was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1999.

2003: Started playing basketball

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

2007: Joined Cholet Basket

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

2007: Dwight Howard's dunks

In 2007-08 Dwight Howard's got 269 dunks.

2009: Played for Cholet Basket junior team

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

February 2010: Carlos Boozer totaled at least 20 points

In February 2010 Carlos Boozer totaled at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

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.

2010: First postseason victory

The Jazz closed out the first-round series 4–3 to earn the franchise's first postseason victory since 2010.

2010: Played for Cholet Basket junior team

To 2010, Rudy Gobert mostly played for the Cholet Basket junior team.

May 10, 2011: First Game for Senior 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.

2012: Averaged 4.2 points

In 2012, Rudy Gobert averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for Cholet.

June 27, 2013: Selected by Denver Nuggets, traded to Utah Jazz

On June 27, 2013, Rudy Gobert was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 27th overall pick and then 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: Played sparingly for the Jazz

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

2013: Acquired by the Utah Jazz

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

July 2014: Re-joined Jazz for NBA Summer League

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

October 24, 2014: Jazz exercised team option

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.

January 9, 2015: Recorded 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: Twice 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 Indefinitely

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

2015: Bronze at EuroBasket 2015

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.

January 7, 2016: Returned to action against Houston Rockets

On January 7, 2016, Rudy Gobert returned to action against the Houston Rockets after missing 18 games with an injury.

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.

December 6, 2016: Scored Career-High

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

2016: Rio Olympic Games

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 2016, Rudy Gobert was named the NBA blocks leader.

January 10, 2017: Franchise-best game

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: Recorded career highs

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

November 12, 2017: Ruled out for injury

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 a Season High

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

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

In May 2018, Rudy Gobert was named in the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

December 25, 2018: Recorded season-high seven blocks

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

January 12, 2019: Had a career-high eight assists

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

2019: All-NBA Third Team

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

2019: NBA season postponed

In 2019, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the NBA postponing the 2019-20 season.

2019: Won Alain Gilles Trophy

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

2019: Bronze Medal at FIBA World Cup

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.

2019: Averaged 15.7 points

Through his first 45 games in the 2019–20 season, Gobert averaged 15.7 points.

January 30, 2020: Named a Western Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star Game

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

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

On March 11, 2020, a game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed just before tip-off after Rudy Gobert was placed on the injury list due to illness. Gobert tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the NBA to suspend the season indefinitely.

March 2020: Tests positive for COVID-19

In March 2020, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the NBA postponing the 2019-20 season.

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, making it 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 was named a Western Conference reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his 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 only the fourth player in NBA history to win the award three or more times.

2021: NBA Rebounding Leader

In 2021, Rudy Gobert was the NBA rebounding leader.

February 3, 2022: Named a Reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game

On February 3, 2022, Rudy Gobert was named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, adding another accolade to his career.

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, draft rights to 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.

January 6, 2023: 25 points and 21 rebounds

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.

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, where he intervened to separate Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels, leading to Draymond Green putting Gobert in a chokehold. Green, Thompson, and McDaniels were ejected.

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 Child's Birth

On May 7, 2024, Rudy Gobert missed a significant playoff game against the Denver Nuggets because his child was born. Despite his absence, the Timberwolves won the game.

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

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.