By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tim Connelly talked about Rudy Gobert, affirming intentions to hang on to the French center.
“We would like Rudy to be here for a long time,” he mentioned in an interview with Darren Wolfson of KSTP, “Ideally, I think continuity is going to be one of the better strengths we have going into the season and we really like our core group.”
Gobert, 32, was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Wolves before the 2022-23 season, carrying a guaranteed contract until the end of the 2024-25 season and a player option for the 2025-26 season.
After brief runs in six playoff appearances with the Jazz and his first with the Timberwolves, he finally enjoyed an extended postseason in the 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, reaching the Finals of the Western Conference. Over 91 games last season, he averaged 13.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 assists per contest.
Moving on to the 2024 Olympic Games, Gobert earned a silver medal with France. Besides struggling to fit in the rotation of head coach Vincent Collet alongside Victor Wembanyama, he was dealing with an injury during the tournament between Lille and Paris. He ended up with 3.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest over five appearances.
“I think Rudy is good. He had a finger injury but I think he is good to go,” added Connelly referring to the 2024 NBA Preseason.
Photo Credit: FIBA