Gobert on standing next to Wembanyama: 'It makes me feel like a normal person' / News - Basketnews.com

Last week, 7'1" (2.16-meter) Rudy Gobert said 'he feels small' standing next to 7'4" (2.24-meter) French countryman Victor Wembanyama.

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

Victor Wembanyama made 7'1'' (2.16-meter) Rudy Gobert look small when those two were standing side-by-side in Las Vegas last week.

Victor Wembanyama

Position:CAge:18Height:221 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

"What was the experience standing next to someone taller than you?" Mark Medina of NBA.com asked Gobert in the latest Q&A edition.

"It doesn't happen a lot (smiles). It was great. I'm used to being the one looking from up above. It's unusual for me, but it happens. I've seen Boban [Marjanovic] and Tacko [Fall] a few times. It makes me feel like a normal person," the new Timberwolves signing pointed out.

Gobert then revealed he has known Wembanyama since the French prodigy was 13 years old.

"He's a great kid. He's very wise. Obviously, he has all the tools. But what makes him special is his mindset and his spirit. He's passionate about the game.

He wants to be great, and he knows what it takes to be great. He's putting all of that together and working really hard to get to that level. It's been really cool to watch him grow," Gobert praised his countryman.

When Gobert realized Wembanyama would be a special player?

"The first time I watched him play," he didn't take long to respond. "We all knew he would be special. But the real question was how far and how special? These last few days, we can all agree that he's going to be something unique. As soon as I got to speak with him and understand his mindset, I knew he would be great. He has all of the tools, but mentality is the most important tool. He has that."

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