In a remarkable achievement, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time, the league announced on Tuesday.
Gobert, a French basketball powerhouse, previously secured this prestigious award in 2018, 2019, and 2021 while playing for the Utah Jazz. With this latest accolade, he joins legends Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only players in NBA history to earn the honor four times.
Expressing his gratitude, Gobert told ESPN, \"It's a blessing and an honor to join this small group. These two guys are legends. Every story is unique. I will keep writing mine and try to be the best version of myself every day and enjoy every step of the way. I'm grateful that my teammates and this organization believe in me and allowing me to be who I am. It's always about the team and pushing each other to give our best every day.\"
In his second season with the Timberwolves, Gobert has been a defensive stalwart, averaging 14 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. His defensive prowess is further highlighted by limiting opponents to a 45.2 effective field goal (FG) percentage, the lowest among all 38 players who contested at least 1,000 shots during the 2023-24 season, according to Second Spectrum data.
Gobert's consistent defensive excellence continues to make him one of the most formidable players in the league, inspiring both teammates and fans alike.
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Rudy Gobert is Defensive Player of the Year for record-tying 4th time
cgtn.com
