Published on 08.05.2024
Rudy Gobert was named “best defender of the year,” the NBA announced Tuesday. The French pivot from Minnesota tied the league record by winning this trophy for the fourth time.
Aged 31, Rudy Gobert had already received the award three times in 2018, 2019 and 2021. This is therefore a first with the Minnesota jersey, which he joined in 2022 from the Jazz of the ‘Utah.
Gobert thus equals the absolute record of four titles for best defensive player of the year won by Ben Wallace of Detroit (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and Dikembe Mutombo (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) with Denver, Atlanta and Philadelphia .
Author averaging 14 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks this season, the 2m16 giant received 72 votes from a panel of media members. He beat his compatriot Victor Wembanyama, the 20-year-old prodigy from San Antonio named “rookie of the year” on Monday, 2nd with 19 votes, and Bam Adebayo from Miami, 3rd with three votes.
ats, afp
