Facing backlash for his alleged breakup with his pregnant girlfriend, Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert attempted to clear the air just hours after news broke.
According to a TMZ report on May 16, Gobert kicked his girlfriend, Julia Bonilla, the mother of his one-year-old son, out of his home in April after learning that a second baby was on the way.
Bonilla addressed the report in a lengthy Instagram story post, saying, “one of the most painful times in my life.”
“I considered Rudy the love of my life. I left everything for him. I gave him a child and poured my heart into our relationship,” she wrote, getting ahead of any assumption that she had cheated.
“I NEVER EVER been unfaithful to the father of my children,” she added.
Gobert addressed the report himself a few hours later and redefined his relationship with Bonilla.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27)
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
"A lot of inaccurate information out there," Gobert wrote on his Instagram story on May 16. "Julia and I are currently in the painful process of redefining our co-parenting relationship. Being a father is one of the most profound and meaningful experience i will get to live. It is one of my most important life purposes and will be so forever.
"I'm fully committed to keep supporting the well-being of all the people that I care about," Gobert added. "I'm asking everyone to please refrain from speculating and to respect our privacy in these difficult times."
TMZ reported that sources said Bonilla hoped to move back to her home country of France, but Gobert wants her and their son, Romeo, to stay so they can "figure out child custody" after the Wolves' season concludes.
The Timberwolves begin the Western Conference finals on Tuesday, May 20.