Rudy Gobert shared an incredibly heartbreaking story where he revealed that his family on his mother’s side refused to let her bring him to Christmas because of his skin color.
“Every year, my mom’s side of the family had this big Christmas dinner at a certain person’s house. My mom is white. My dad is Black. He’s from Guadeloupe, and he was playing basketball professionally in France when they met. My mom already had two white children from her previous relationship, and then I came into the world…. And for some people, that was a problem.”
Gobert also shared that his mother ended up cutting contact with her family over their racist viewpoints and spent every Christmas by his side.
“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. She could come on her own. But she couldn’t bring ‘that child.’ She couldn’t bring Rudy. She was devastated. And obviously, she spent Christmas with me instead. She told them, ‘If that’s the way you think, then you’re not going to see me anymore. Not at Christmas. Not ever. I don’t want anything to do with you.'”
Gobert has more than repaid his mother for the love she gave him by becoming one of the greatest defensive players the NBA has ever seen. Gobert grew up in rough conditions, but those conditions prepared him for a rewarding life where he would find success at the topmost level of the NBA.
Rudy’s mother, Corrine Gobert, raised her son alone after separating from his father when the future NBA center was just three years old. She reportedly worked as a hairdresser as a single mother while raising Rudy.
Gobert has averaged 12.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks over his career, expected to pick up his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award this season.
Rudy Gobert Expected To Make History
Rudy Gobert is on track to win the fourth Defensive Player of the Year award in his career, tying him with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for most DPOY wins in a career.
Gobert’s standing as one of the greatest defenders in league history and arguably the best defender of his era is going to be set in stone despite all the hate he’s received.
Gobert is averaging 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks this season, marshaling the best defense in the NBA. His continued impact on team defense is unquestionable, as he is the leader in defensive win shares and defensive rating this season. If Victor Wembanyama or Anthony Davis had better overall records they would have a case, but Gobert’s defensive impact is hard to match, with a 104.4 defensive rating this season.
The Timberwolves are the best defense in the NBA and Gobert’s complete deterrence of the paint has been a key element in that success. His improvement as a perimeter defender has been less noticeable, but he isn’t the same player whose impact could be minimized just by forcing him out of the paint.
Gobert may be receiving the final DPOY honor of his career this season, or future candidates such as Victor Wembanyama are definitely hoping for the same.
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