Who Are Rudy Gobert’s Parents? Exploring Timberwolves Star’s Family Background and Roots

Rudy Gobert’s journey to NBA stardom is a story of hard work. As a towering presence with the Timberwolves, he’s become a defensive powerhouse. But his journey wasn’t easy. Growing up in Saint-Quentin, France, he faced challenges that went beyond basketball. But, his family stood as a support always.

Is Gobert a first-generation basketball player? From where did he learn to pick up the ball? Let’s explore his journey, family, and story.

Who is there in Rudy Gobert’s family?

Rudy Gobert’s childhood was clearly around his family. Born to Rudy Bourgarel and Corinne Gobert, the child had a painful start to his life. And Rudy isn’t the first hooper in his family as his father is also a hooper. His father, Rudy Bourgarel, is from Guadeloupe, where he was a talented basketball player. Not in the NBA, but he played college basketball for the Marist Red Foxes and also had some time in Paris and Saint-Quentin, France. However, his dream of joining the NBA never came to fruition.

Instead, his career was interrupted when the French national team required him to play for them. Despite being highly talented, he struggled to find recognition in the French basketball scene. But look what happened: his son is now a leading player for both France and the Timberwolves. “I am fulfilling my father’s dream by playing in the NBA,” the hooper once said. This shows how badly he wanted to fulfill his father’s dreams. Well, talking about his mother, she has a different story, away from hoops.

His mother, Corinne Gobert, raised him in Saint-Quentin, France. Sadly, the duo separated when Gobert was only three. Also, Rudy had two older siblings, Romain Goubet and Vanessa Goubet. As a hairdresser, all she did was work hard for her three children. And, yes, she raised her children on her own with no help from her extended relatives. Despite many hardships, Corinne’s hard work laid the foundation for Rudy’s rise to basketball greatness.

Rudy Gobert’s family life presented challenges, but it thrived on love and determination. After his parents split, he lived primarily with his mother but visited his father in Guadeloupe regularly. Despite the separation, the hooper remained close to his father, whose influence on his life never wavered. The lack of basketball in his home didn’t stop him. Gobert began playing basketball seriously around the age of 11. His family’s background in basketball was significant, especially with his father’s past, but it wasn’t until Rudy immersed himself in the game that he began to realize his true potential.

Growing up in Saint-Quentin, Rudy was constantly surrounded by basketball. While his father had played the game professionally, he was left to discover it on his own. He was “pretty careless” about his belongings as a child, often leaving his things behind while playing in the park. But the park was also where his love for the game blossomed, and it wasn’t long before he was playing basketball seriously. But his towering height and natural talent made him stand out.

Despite all these challenges, his rise from being a skinny boy to becoming an NBA giant is a story to be told about. We can surely call him someone who has defied all odds, by not only overcoming the obstacles presented by his family’s background but also proving himself as one of the NBA’s top players. His father’s unfulfilled dream of playing in the NBA has now become a reality through Rudy. However, as we now know about Rudy Gobert’s story, we know that it’s not just about basketball. Rudy Gobert had his challenges too. And guess what?

Did Rudy Gobert face any challenges because of his mixed race?

The answer to this is simple, ‘Yes,’ but not from his immediate family. Rudy Gobert comes from a mixed-race background, where his father, Rudy Bourgarel, is of Creole ethnicity, born in Guadeloupe, and his mother, Corinne Gobert, is white French, born in Saint-Quentin, France. Which makes his ethnicity mixed. His sister once said, “I was 18 years old when he was born. It was more than just being a big sister. It was like having a baby for me.,” Although he was a ‘baby’ for his ‘own-blood’, there are members who didn’t see him like that.

The young boy grew up encountering racism, particularly from some of his relatives. He once recalled a painful moment, saying, “After I was born, certain relatives made it very clear to her that she wasn’t welcome to come to Christmas dinner if she brought me along.”

Rudy’s mixed race made him an outsider in some family circles. His mother faced exclusion, and Rudy felt the sting of rejection. These painful experiences marked him deeply, shaping the determination and resilience that would later define his career. They fueled his drive to prove himself, not just on the basketball court, but in life.