Rudy Gobert, center of the Minnesota Timberwolves, in the foreground, during a game against the Denver Nuggets, in Denver (Colorado), United States, May 4, 2024. MATTHEW STOCKMAN / AFP
The French are celebrating in the NBA. After Victor Wembanyama, who received the title of “rookie” of the year (best beginner) on Monday May 6, it is the turn of Rudy Gobert to be rewarded. The Minnesota Timberwolves center has been named “best defender of the year” for the fourth time, the North American basketball league announced on Tuesday, May 7.
Read also | Paris 2024: with Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama, the French basketball team will have a defense of giants
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Aged 31, Rudy Gobert receives this award for the fourth time – after 2018, 2019 and 2021 – but for the first since he wore the jersey of Minnesota, a club he joined in 2022 from Jazz from Utah. He thus equals the absolute record of four titles for best defensive player of the year won by Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and Dikembe Mutombo (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) with the Denver Nuggets, the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia SeventySixers.
The French giant (2.16 m) received 72 votes from a panel of members of the media to win this fourth title of best defender in seven years, far ahead of his compatriot, Victor Wembanyama, second with 19 votes.
This season, with the Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists per game.
Successful with the Minnesota Timberwolves
“Rudy has been the driving force behind the defensive culture here”greeted Chris Finch, Timberwolves coach. “It’s a testament to his impact, his presence and what he instilled in the team about the importance of defense and how great it can be when we implement it. » The Frenchman is a key element of the iron defense of the Minnesota franchise, the best in the NBA this season.
After finishing in third place in the Western Conference at the end of the regular season, the Timberwolves have impressed since the start of the playoffs. Victorious over the Phoenix Suns in the first round (4-0), they lead 2-0 against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, after the first two games of this series played in Colorado.
Minnesota pulled off a breathtaking defensive performance on Monday (106-80 victory), yet playing without Rudy Gobert, absent to be able to be alongside his girlfriend who gave birth to their son on Monday, according to several media. “His name is Romeo and he is doing very well”declared the Frenchman on the TNT channel. “Many blessings. I am truly grateful. »
Olympic vice-champion in 2021 in Tokyo, Rudy Gobert is also an executive of the French team which is aiming for gold at the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11).
Read the meeting | Article reserved for our subscribers Rudy Gobert, basketball player: “Becoming an Olympic champion in Paris is the opportunity of a lifetime”
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2024-05-08 00:17:15
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