Gobert couldn't be happier to see Wembanyama's rise in basketball this year.
Outside the San Antonio Spurs, no one is even happier about the current success and superstar rise of Victor Wembanyama in the NBA than Rudy Gobert.
In an interview with Mark Medina of Responsible Gaming, the Minnesota Timberwolves center offered praise about the massive leap that Wembanyama has taken this year.
“He’s been getting better and better. He’s having an amazing year, collectively and individually. He’s getting a lot of blocks. He’s been amazing to watch. I’m really proud of him," the T-Wolves star said.
"Every year, the work that he has been putting in has been paying off. I know how hard he works. I know how disciplined he is and how much he loves the game. He plays the game with a winning mindset. I love that. Hopefully we get to face each other in the playoffs. That would be a fun challenge.”
Gobert played an instrumental role as Wembanyama's mentor in the younger days of the San Antonio Spurs sensation. Both of them have hammered a strong relationship off the court, and are the towering anchors of France on the international stage.
Wembanyama is already fulfilling the expectations of everyone this year, and he is certainly poised to get even better with his generational talent as a 7-foot-3 unicorn.
Averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and a league-high 3.0 blocks, Wembanyama is the driving force of San Antonio becoming a legit title contender this 2025-26. The Spurs are currently second in the West with a 48-18 record.
As far as the Defensive Player of the Year race, both Gobert and Wembanyama are going toe-to-toe for the award. But regardless of who will take the honors home, the French veteran stands jubilant about the progress of Wembanyama.
“May the best win. There are still a lot of games left. So may the best win," Gobert said, who is tied with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo with the most DPOY awards in NBA history at four. "Regardless of anything, I’m really proud of him. I’m really proud of him.
"I’ve been there for him as a mentor. I try to help him in any way I can. A lot of this goes beyond basketball. Basketball is the easiest part.”
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