In a remarkable article, Rudy Gobert gave deep insights into his childhood. The Minnesota Timberwolves star wrote about racism he experienced as a child from members of his own family in an essay in the Players’ Tribune.
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The three-time NBA All-Star is the son of a white woman, his father is black and a former professional basketball player from Guadeloupe. His parents met in France; his mother already had two white children from a previous relationship.
His mother raises NBA star Gobert alone
When his father left the family for home, his mother raised the little one alone. But that seemed to be a problem for the rest of the family.
Gobert recounts a painful memory shortly before Christmas. Like every year, the mother’s family hosted a big Christmas dinner. But this time some of the relatives showed that she was not welcome with her black child.
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Family didn’t want a black child
“After I was born, some relatives made it very clear to her that she would not be allowed to come to Christmas dinner if she brought me,” Gobert wrote. “She could come alone. But she couldn’t bring “that child.” She couldn’t bring Rudi with her.”
Gobert wrote that his mother was “devastated” and cut off contact with her family after they gave her the ultimatum.
The 31-year-old also talked about his childhood when his mother didn’t have much money for her children. He said he developed “an ironclad belief” that he would one day have a career that would allow him to repay her for all the sacrifices she had made.
Discovered my passion for basketball at the age of twelve
At the age of 12, Gobert then developed a passion for basketball and saw the sport as his chance to achieve his bigger dream. The NBA star recalled the moment he first saw his name pop up in an NBA mock draft. Not only was it validation, but he was also proud to see his family name so prominent.
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This sense of pride also explains the center’s reaction to missing the All-Star Game in 2019. He became emotional as he described his disappointment and revealed in the interview that the meaning went much deeper than just not being an All-Star. To be recognized as a star.
“When it happened I was surprised. I had a bunch of cameras in front of me after practice,” he said. “I was asked if I didn’t make the team, so I started telling reporters that my mom was the one who called me to tell me the news. And how she started crying when she was on the phone with me.”
Gobert: You have to stay true to yourself
Gobert said he hopes this moment serves as an example to younger players and fans and shows that it’s okay to be emotional and be authentic.
“There can be a lot of satisfaction in being yourself, even knowing that some people will make fun of you for it,” he wrote. “For me, the highest form of strength is when you stay true to yourself, even when the world mocks you for it. Then you show your true colors.”
In the recent past, the Timberwolves center has repeatedly attracted negative headlines. In March, the NBA fined him $100,000 for making a monetary gesture toward an official and criticizing the referee.
With Minnesota, the 31-year-old will face the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs starting April 20th. Let’s see if Gobert can make his mother proud again.
2024-04-17 20:06:20
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