Rudy Gobert, a French professional basketball player who plays for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves, is the only child of his parents, Rudy Bourgarelna and Corinne Gobert.
But that doesn’t mean Rudy Gobert grew up being a lone child, as he had an older brother, Romain Goubet, and an older sister, Vanessa Goubet, his mother Corrinne’s children from the relationship that she had before she met Rudy’s father.
But since Rudy and his two older siblings had a pretty much age gap, they probably didn’t get much time getting along with one another growing up.
While talking about his childhood with the Playertribune in April 2024, Rudy Gobert mentioned his brother and sister, saying,
I turned 13, I had the opportunity to join a basketball academy in a town called Amiens, a little further away from my hometown, Saint-Quentin… My siblings had left for university already, and I was the only kid in the house with Mom.
Via Players Tribune
But having the same mother, Rudy and his siblings were never apart and are still connected.
Whenever any special events occur in the family, they all come together. Rudy often provides glimpses of his moments with his siblings and mother on his Instagram.
Rudy Gobert faced racism growing up as a mixed child in a white household
NBA player Rudy Gobert was a mixed-race child born to a white mother, Corinne, and a black dad, Rudy. At the time he turned three, his parents had already separated.
So, Rudy Gobert was singlehandedly raised by his mother, Corinne, in France, along with his half-brother and half-sister.
Growing up around white people in his mother’s native land, the NBA player went through several traumatic experiences just because of his skin color.
While having an exclusive talk with the Atlanta Black Star, the NBA player said that his relatives directly used to tell his mom, “We don’t want that baby in our house.” He further stated,
It’s a painful memory, but one that I need to share. After I was born, certain relatives made it very clear to her that she wasn’t welcome to come to Christmas dinner if she brought me along. She could come on her own
Via Atlanta Black Star
But whatever her relatives said, his mother stood by his side and supported him unwaveringly. That’s why he adores his mom so much.
In case you didn’t know
- Rudy Gobert was born in Saint-Quentin, Aisne, the north of France, on June 26, 1992. He is currently 32 years old.
- His father, Rudy Bourgarel, is a former basketball player, who played professionally in Paris and Saint-Quentin. He is originally from Guadeloupe.
- In his basketball career, Rudy has earned several accolades, including the title of NBA All-Star three times, NBA blocks leader, and All-NBA Third Team thrice.
