Getting to Know Rudy Gobert

Who is Rudy Gobert? Where is he from? What does he do for a living? How did he get the nickname, "The Stifle Tower"? What makes him stand out from any other young man?

The Early Years

According to the Rudy Gobert bio, Corinne Gobert, a retired cosmetologist, gave birth to Robert Gobert on June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France. His Father Rudy Bourgarel among playing basketball also had a cameo in Coming To America.

Since the age of 11, Gobert began following in his father's footsteps by learning to play basketball. Gobert started playing for the JSC St-Quentin club in 2003 before joining the Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball club. During 2010, Gobert would play for the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship for the French junior national team. He was better at scoring and rebounding than any other player of the time.

NBA Career

Gobert would enter the NBA Draft Combine in 2013 where they measure the athlete's physical stature, endurance, and overall skill. During the 2013 NBA Draft Combine, Gobert would set the record for wingspan at seven feet 8 and one-half inches and with a standing reach of nine feet seven inches. This is what earned him the nickname, "The Stifle Tower."

On June 27, 2013, the Denver Nuggets selected him with the 27th overall pick. He was traded to the Utah Jazz on draft night. On July 6, he signed as a rookie with the Utah Jazz and began playing for the Jazz during the 2013 NBA Summer League.

Gobert would not see much playing time during his rookie season. Playing in 45 of the 82 regular season games for the Jazz all while only averaging 9.6 minutes per game and an abysmal 2.3 points per game.

His breakout season would come during the 2016-2017 season where Gobert started 81 of 82 games, averaged 14 points per game, along with a.661 field goal percentage. This would be his best statistical year until the 2018-2019 season. During the 2018-2019 season, he posted 15.9 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game, and.669 field goal percentage in during his 80 starts.

In 2018 Gobert signed a 4-year contract with the Utah Jazz guaranteeing him $94 million and with bonuses could gross a whopping $102 million by the end of the deal.

The Utah Jazz made secured the 5th seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. The Jazz would only win one game in the first round to be eliminated by the Houston Rockets.

Olympic Accolades

Gobert won the bronze medal during the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, the silver medal during the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship and was also played for the All-Tournament team. He would play in 5 games for France during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He produced 5.7 points, 1.8 blocks, and 7.2 rebounds per game.

During the past six seasons, Gobert has played for the Utah Jazz. Gobert still has many great years of basketball left to play. He is a great defensive threat and a good all-around basketball player.