Player Name: Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 7-foot-1/245 pounds
Why you need to watch him on NBA League Pass: With a nickname like “The Stifle Tower,” Gobert was a lock to make this list on moniker alone. The 7-foot-2 French giant backs it up by living up to that tag by utilizing his nearly 8-foot wingspan and the impeccable timing that has helped him become one of the league’s most intriguing rim protectors in short order. He saw his minutes and role increase dramatically after a trade deadline-day deal in 2015 sent Enes Kanter to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a great move for both big men, opening up opportunities for the disgruntled Kanter in OKC and for the grateful Gobert in SLC.
Gobert, he of the outlandish 9-foot-9 standing reach, averaged a ridiculous 3.1 blocks in January and Febuary last season. In the 29 games after the Kanter trade, he was an absolute force, averaging 11.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.8 assists while shooting 57.6 percent. When he develops a go-to offensive move, he’s really going to a problem.
The best part for Jazz coach Quin Snyder? Gobert completes the starting frontcourt alongside power forward Derrick Favors and small forward Gordon Hayward in ways the offensive-minded Kanter never did. Gobert averaged 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 45 games off the bench last season, when he averaged 19.8 minutes. He doubled his scoring average (10.6) and grabbed 12.4 rebounds and blocked 2.8 shots in those 37 games as a starter, when he averaged 34.2 minutes. He’s a walking double-double and defensive menace with starter’s minutes on the way this season for a team with designs on storming the playoff party in the Western Conference.
— Sekou Smith, NBA.com
