Rudy Gobert takes offseason preps to a new level after sparring with interim UFC Heavyweight champ
On Oct. 1, Rudy Gobert will begin his third training camp as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. As he gets ready for the upcoming NBA season, the defensive stalwart is switching things up with his training.
Pro athletes do all kinds of rigorous work to keep their bodies in peak physical condition. As for Gobert, he decided to test his endurance by doing some sparring. Videos recently surfaced online of the three-time All-Star getting work in with former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.
Rudy Gobert continues what has already been a busy summer for him. For starters, the Timberwolves went on a deep playoff run that saw them reach the conference finals. After that, Gobert quickly began preparing with the French national team for the Olympics. The Summer Games was special for him this time as he got to represent the host country.
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After struggling in his first season in Minnesota, Gobert returned to form in 2024. He helped lead the Timberwolves to the NBA’s best defense and won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time. Alongside Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, he’ll attempt to help the Timberwolves contend again in what should be an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Rudy Gobert responds to Shaquille O’Neal’s latest remarks about him
As an All-Star-level player and one of the best defenders in the league, Rudy Gobert has done well for himself on the court and financially. However, one Hall of Famer feels this shouldn’t be the case.
During an interview with Complex posted on Thursday, Shaquille O’Neal was asked who he thinks the worst player in the NBA is. The LA Lakers legend then went on a long rant about why he feels that title belongs to Gobert.
“If you sign a contract for 250, show me 250,” O’Neal said. “You got guys like him that f*** the system over, they making all this money and they can’t f***** play. I don’t respect guys like that.”
After the clip from O’Neal made its rounds on social media, Rudy Gobert ended up responding to him. He said he does not understand why O’Neal is so bothered at what he’s been able to do for himself financially in the NBA.
Gobert won’t make $250 million on his current contract — but he isn’t far off. The Timberwolves center is currently in the fourth year of a five-year extension he signed with the Utah Jazz worth $205 million. Gobert is set to make $43.8 million this upcoming season and has a player option worth $46.6 million in 2026.
Even though he isn’t much of a threat on the offensive end, Gobert has shown how valuable he can be to winning with his defensive impact.
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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
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