A few days back, the NBA suspended its league [http://www.essentiallysports.com/news-nba-suspends-its-season-after-rudy-gobert-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/] in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. The decision came after Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/rudy-gobert/] was tested positive for the virus. Not long after the news broke out, many extended their support to Gobert while a few also criticized him for his carelessness. On Thursday, Gobert took to Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pXSG8l_J6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link] to thank everyone for their support and issued an apology for his actions. “I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours. I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis…mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment,” the statement read. Prior to knowledge of his infection, Gobert was seen mocking the virus. He jokingly touched the mics [http://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-utah-jazz-news-rudy-gobert-joked-about-coronavirus-before-positive-test/] of journalists. Although Gobert wasn’t aware of his situation, many believed it was careless of his part under given circumstances. Gobert admitted his carelessness and apologized for his acts. “The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered,” his statement further read. “At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse, I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously. I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus. Rudy Gobert playing for Utah Jazz [http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Rudy-Gobert-Utah-Jazz-NBA-Summer-League.jpg]Rudy Gobert “I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy. Love.” THE CASE OF RUDY GOBERT SHOULD SERVE AS A LESSON FOR OTHERS Amidst a dreadful virus outbreak, Rudy Gobert could have been a little more careful. While Gobert could not be blamed for his actions as he wasn’t aware of his condition, it certainly tells us to be more careful. The virus is spreading fast throughout the world. It wouldn’t be a surprise if someone in your vicinity has the virus. Hence, it is advisable to be careful and take precautionary measures. 

Rudy Gobert took to Instagram to thank everyone for their support and issued an
apology for his actions prior to his Coronavirus infection

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<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Early Life</strong></h2>
Rudy Gobert was born on June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, France, to parents, Rudy Bourgarel and Corinne Gobert and his father is where he gets his French heritage from. But that isn't the sole inheritance. Rudy Bourgarel is a former basketball player who played at Marist College from 1985 to 1988 as a center. His commitments with the French men's national basketball team affected his chances of getting drafted by the NBA in 1989. The outcome "destroyed him," Rudy Jr. reveals. However, it was here, playing in Paris, that Rudy Sr. met Corinne Gobert.

Unfortunately, the family's time as one was short-lived. Three years after Rudy Gobert was born, his parents split. Bourgarel moved to Guadeloupe while Rudy stayed in Saint-Quentin with his mom, facing challenges as a mixed-race kid. Nonetheless, Gobert reveals he <em>"was never offended by it."</em> Instead, he seems to have channeled his focus on basketball when his father called every week, talking and teaching about the hoops.

It was ultimately in 2003 that Rudy Gobert started playing basketball. He initially joined the JSC St-Quentin club before transferring to the Saint-Quentin BB club. In 2007 then, Gobert joined Cholet Basket Training Centre, a club that plays for LNB Pro A. Three years later, he represented France in the <span style="font-weight: 400">FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and finished as the team's best scorer and rebounder with 9.2 and 9 average respectively.Â </span>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Professional Career</h2>
<h4><b>Cholet (2011â€“2013)</b></h4>
Following his run at the Cholet training center, Rudy Gobert joined the junior team in 2009. A year later, he made the senior team debut, playing just one game to record 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal against Pau-Lacq-Orthez. In the 2011-12 season, he played 29 games for an average of 4.2 points and made it to 27 games the next campaign -- 2012-13 for an improved 8.4 ppg. Following this, Gobert made his way to the NBA.
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400">Â </span><b>Utah Jazz (2013â€“2022)</b></h4>
Rudy Gobert played 6 successful seasons with the Utah Jazz, helping the team and himself grow impressively in defensive ranking. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Utah Jazz the very same night.<span style="font-weight: 400"> Entering the league, Gobert had a wingspan of 7'9'' which was registered as unprecedented. His nickname, "The Stifle Tower" thus came to be. He finished his rookie season having played 45 games averaging 2.3 points while also playing 8 games for Bakersfield Jam in the NBA G League. He averaged 13.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.Â </span>

Gobert then came to be known as a crucial player in Jazz's defense when he replaced Enes Kanter and went on to lead the team's defense with 98.0. He also improved one of the worst teams in defensive ranking to top the table in 2014, post-break. This was followed by a four-year, $102 million contract extension, that made him the best-paid French athlete, in 2015-16 and then a $205 million 5-year contract --- the biggest for a center.

[caption id="attachment_500521" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-500521 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210102183921/2021-01-02T045404Z_1260759462_MT1USATODAY15387029_RTRMADP_3_NBA-LOS-ANGELES-CLIPPERS-AT-UTAH-JAZZ.jpg" alt="Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert" width="1920" height="1280" /> Jan 1, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after a basket against the LA Clippers in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

In the process, Rudy Gobert earned the Defensive Player of the Year thrice, All-Star reserve thrice, and four All-NBA appearances. In 2019-20, He helped the team into the playoffs and proved an only formidable opponent for the likes of Nikola Jokic, dominant on both offense and defense. Averaging 15 points and 13 rebounds per game, Rudy came to be the face of the team while being considered the best screener in the NBA.

Gobert, who had wished to be 'the best big man' in his rookie year, finished his run with the Jazz, leading the league in rebounds and FG% with 14.7 and 71.3% respectively. He also earned his sixth straight NBA All-Defensive First Team spot before being traded off to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

<b>Minnesota Timberwolves (2022â€“present)</b>

Gobert was traded off to the Minnesota Timberwolves in July 2022 and debuted strong with 23 points and 16 rebounds against the OKC Thunder a few months later. In January 2023, the star center recorded his 9th 20/20 in a game against the LA Clippers with 25 points and 21 rebounds. That was the second one since joining the Timberwolves and last as of May 2025. He led the team to his 7th playoff averaging 13.4 points, and 11.6 rebounds.

The next year, Gobert earned his fourth DOPY title, leading the league with a rating of 104.4 while carrying the Timberwolves positioned No.1. His fourth title ties with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most in NBA history.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>National Team Career</strong></h2>
Rudy Gobert represents France on International stages and has been successful in acquiring a few medals but none gold. In 2011, he secured a bronze for the French in the <span style="font-weight: 400">FIBA Europe U-20 Championships after losing to Italy. The next year, France finished second in the FIBA U20 European Championship after falling to Lithuania.Â </span>

Then grown as a defensive prowess in the NBA, Rudy Gobert helped the team to a bronze at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014. It was followed up by another third-place finish the next year at EuroBasket 2015 and the 2019 World Cup. The Olympics in 2021 and the EuroBasket 2022, however, brought along a silver.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Rudy Gobert Stats</h2>
<h4>Regular Season:</h4>
<ul>
 	<li>Games played: 757</li>
 	<li>Points per game: 12.7</li>
 	<li>Rebounds per game: 11.8</li>
 	<li>Assists per game: 2.1</li>
</ul>
<h4>Playoffs Season:</h4>
<ul>
 	<li>Games Played: 66</li>
 	<li>Points per game: 13.4</li>
 	<li>Rebounds per game: 11.2</li>
 	<li>Assists per game: 1.6</li>
</ul>
<p class="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words"><strong>Best Scoring Seasons</strong></p>

<ul class="list-disc pl-8 space-y-2 -mt-1">
 	<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">2018-19 (Utah): 15.9 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.3 bpg</li>
 	<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">2021-22 (Utah): 15.6 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 2.1 bpg</li>
 	<li class="whitespace-normal break-words">2019-20 (Utah): 15.1 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Accolades and Legacy</h2>
7X NBA All-Defensive First Team - 2017-2022, 2024

4X Defensive Player of the Year - 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024

4Ã— All-NBA - 2017, 2019-2021

3X NBA All-Star 2020-2022

French Player of the Year - 2019

2022 NBA Rebounding leader - 14.7

2017Â NBA blocks leader - 2.6
<h2 style="text-align: center">Records</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>Most single-season dunks - 306</li>
 	<li>Fourth NBA Player to have 30 consecutive 10+ rebounds</li>
 	<li>Most rebounds for the JazzÂ in a game, with 28</li>
 	<li>First French-born to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year</li>
 	<li>Third player to win DOPY title four times</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Rudy Gobert off the court</h2>
Rudy Gobert is reportedly in a relationship with Julia Bonilla, who is also from France. She hosts a podcast called "Journey," while also being an artistic director and agent. The two revealed their relationship only in February 2024, when announcing pregnancy. They welcomed their firstborn, a son on May 6th, when the Wolves were to contest in the 2024 playoffs.

Moreover, Gobert also runs a non-profit organization, Rudy's Kids Foundation, to protect, empower, and improve the lives of kids. The foundation helps out charities whose mission is to ensure that kids have access to opportunities and resources. He also donated $500,000 to help COVID-19-affected people and those working in the services in 2020.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Net Worth and Endorsements</h2>
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Rudy Gobert's net worth to be $60 million with an average annual salary of $41 million. This arrives with his 5-year $205,000,002 contract with the Utah Jazz. He further owns an 11,000-square-foot house in Salt Lake City, purchased in 2017 for $3.9 million.

Gobert has endorsed about 7 brands so far in his career. The prominent ones happen to be Nike, Air Max Dominate, Yoplait, and Intenza Fitness, which reportedly bring him a million in earnings.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Social Media</h2>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rudygobert27/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://x.com/rudygobert27?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter,</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RudyGobert27">Facebook</a>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 70.0355%;height: 363px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">French</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Birth Date</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">June 26, 1992</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Place of Birth</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Saint-Quentin, France</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">7 feet 1 inch</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Weight</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">258 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Wingspan</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">7 feet 9 inches</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Position</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Center</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%;height: 24px">Unmarried</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Rudy Gobert

Early Life Rudy Gobert was born on June 26, 1992, in Saint-Quentin, France, to parents, Rudy Bourgarel and Corinne Gobert and his father is where he gets his French heritage from. But that isn&#8217;t the sole inheritance. Rudy Bourgarel is a former basketball player who played at Marist College from 1985 to 1988 as a center. His commitments with the French men&#8217;s national basketball team affected his chances of getting drafted by the NBA in 1989. The outcome &#8220;destroyed him,&#8221; Rudy Jr. reveals. However, it was here, playing in Paris, that Rudy Sr. met Corinne Gobert. Unfortunately, the family&#8217;s time as one was short-lived. Three years after Rudy Gobert was born, his parents split. Bourgarel moved to Guadeloupe while Rudy stayed in Saint-Quentin with his mom, facing challenges as a mixed-race kid. Nonetheless, Gobert reveals he &#8220;was never offended by it.&#8221; Instead, he seems to have channeled his focus on basketball when his father called every week, talking and teaching about the hoops. It was ultimately in 2003 that Rudy Gobert started playing basketball. He initially joined the JSC St-Quentin club before transferring to the Saint-Quentin BB club. In 2007 then, Gobert joined Cholet Basket Training Centre, a club that plays for LNB Pro A. Three years later, he represented France in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and finished as the team&#8217;s best scorer and rebounder with 9.2 and 9 average respectively.Â  Professional Career Cholet (2011â€“2013) Following his run at the Cholet training center, Rudy Gobert joined the junior team in 2009. A year later, he made the senior team debut, playing just one game to record 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal against Pau-Lacq-Orthez. In the 2011-12 season, he played 29 games for an average of 4.2 points and made it to 27 games the next campaign &#8212; 2012-13 for an improved 8.4 ppg. Following this, Gobert made his way to the NBA. Â Utah Jazz (2013â€“2022) Rudy Gobert played 6 successful seasons with the Utah Jazz, helping the team and himself grow impressively in defensive ranking. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Utah Jazz the very same night. Entering the league, Gobert had a wingspan of 7&#8217;9&#8221; which was registered as unprecedented. His nickname, &#8220;The Stifle Tower&#8221; thus came to be. He finished his rookie season having played 45 games averaging 2.3 points while also playing 8 games for Bakersfield Jam in the NBA G League. He averaged 13.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.Â  Gobert then came to be known as a crucial player in Jazz&#8217;s defense when he replaced Enes Kanter and went on to lead the team&#8217;s defense with 98.0. He also improved one of the worst teams in defensive ranking to top the table in 2014, post-break. This was followed by a four-year, $102 million contract extension, that made him the best-paid French athlete, in 2015-16 and then a $205 million 5-year contract &#8212; the biggest for a center. Jan 1, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after a basket against the LA Clippers in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports In the process, Rudy Gobert earned the Defensive Player of the Year thrice, All-Star reserve thrice, and four All-NBA appearances. In 2019-20, He helped the team into the playoffs and proved an only formidable opponent for the likes of Nikola Jokic, dominant on both offense and defense. Averaging 15 points and 13 rebounds per game, Rudy came to be the face of the team while being considered the best screener in the NBA. Gobert, who had wished to be &#8216;the best big man&#8217; in his rookie year, finished his run with the Jazz, leading the league in rebounds and FG% with 14.7 and 71.3% respectively. He also earned his sixth straight NBA All-Defensive First Team spot before being traded off to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota Timberwolves (2022â€“present) Gobert was traded off to the Minnesota Timberwolves in July 2022 and debuted strong with 23 points and 16 rebounds against the OKC Thunder a few months later. In January 2023, the star center recorded his 9th 20/20 in a game against the LA Clippers with 25 points and 21 rebounds. That was the second one since joining the Timberwolves and last as of May 2025. He led the team to his 7th playoff averaging 13.4 points, and 11.6 rebounds. The next year, Gobert earned his fourth DOPY title, leading the league with a rating of 104.4 while carrying the Timberwolves positioned No.1. His fourth title ties with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most in NBA history. National Team Career Rudy Gobert represents France on International stages and has been successful in acquiring a few medals but none gold. In 2011, he secured a bronze for the French in the FIBA Europe U-20 Championships after losing to Italy. The next year, France finished second in the FIBA U20 European Championship after falling to Lithuania.Â  Then grown as a defensive prowess in the NBA, Rudy Gobert helped the team to a bronze at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014. It was followed up by another third-place finish the next year at EuroBasket 2015 and the 2019 World Cup. The Olympics in 2021 and the EuroBasket 2022, however, brought along a silver. Rudy Gobert Stats Regular Season: Games played: 757 Points per game: 12.7 Rebounds per game: 11.8 Assists per game: 2.1 Playoffs Season: Games Played: 66 Points per game: 13.4 Rebounds per game: 11.2 Assists per game: 1.6 Best Scoring Seasons 2018-19 (Utah): 15.9 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.3 bpg 2021-22 (Utah): 15.6 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 2.1 bpg 2019-20 (Utah): 15.1 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg Accolades and Legacy 7X NBA All-Defensive First Team &#8211; 2017-2022, 2024 4X Defensive Player of the Year &#8211; 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 4Ã— All-NBA &#8211; 2017, 2019-2021 3X NBA All-Star 2020-2022 French Player of the Year &#8211; 2019 2022 NBA Rebounding leader &#8211; 14.7 2017Â NBA blocks leader &#8211; 2.6 Records Most single-season dunks &#8211; 306 Fourth NBA Player to have 30 consecutive 10+ rebounds Most rebounds for the JazzÂ in a game, with 28 First French-born to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year Third player to win DOPY title four times Rudy Gobert off the court Rudy Gobert is reportedly in a relationship with Julia Bonilla, who is also from France. She hosts a podcast called &#8220;Journey,&#8221; while also being an artistic director and agent. The two revealed their relationship only in February 2024, when announcing pregnancy. They welcomed their firstborn, a son on May 6th, when the Wolves were to contest in the 2024 playoffs. Moreover, Gobert also runs a non-profit organization, Rudy&#8217;s Kids Foundation, to protect, empower, and improve the lives of kids. The foundation helps out charities whose mission is to ensure that kids have access to opportunities and resources. He also donated $500,000 to help COVID-19-affected people and those working in the services in 2020. Net Worth and Endorsements Celebrity Net Worth estimates Rudy Gobert&#8217;s net worth to be $60 million with an average annual salary of $41 million. This arrives with his 5-year $205,000,002 contract with the Utah Jazz. He further owns an 11,000-square-foot house in Salt Lake City, purchased in 2017 for $3.9 million. Gobert has endorsed about 7 brands so far in his career. The prominent ones happen to be Nike, Air Max Dominate, Yoplait, and Intenza Fitness, which reportedly bring him a million in earnings. Social Media Instagram, Twitter, Facebook  Nationality French  Birth Date June 26, 1992  Place of Birth Saint-Quentin, France  Height 7 feet 1 inch  Weight 258 lbs  Wingspan 7 feet 9 inches  Position Center  Marital Status Unmarried

NBA News: Rudy Gobert Issues an Apology Over His Ridiculous Acts Prior to the Coronavirus Infection

The case of Rudy Gobert should serve as a lesson for others