Rudy Gobert Named State Of Sports Male Athlete Of The Year

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rudy Gobert has another piece of hardware to add to his trophy case. The Utah Jazz center was named the Pro Male Athlete of the Year by the Utah Sports Commission. Each year the State of Sport Awards recognizes the best athletes from across the sports landscape in the state of Utah.

The Utah Sports Commission recognized Gobert for his excellence on the court, as well as his impact on the state of Utah. Gobert has established Rudy’s Kids Foundation which supports charities that directly impact the lives of youth in Utah, as well as a program that donates money to ShelterKids and Salt Lake County Youth Services, and the Utah Refugee Connection with every blocked shot Gobert records on the floor.

“The Utah Jazz’ 7-1, 245-pound center Rudy Gobert has become a real backbone of the Jazz’ success,” a release says of Gobert’s award, “A fan favorite and deeply integrated with the community through his personal cause-related outreach.”

Your #StateofSportAwards Pro Male Athlete of the Year is @utahjazz defensive powerhouse @rudygobert27 ‼️🏀

Read more about Rudy's all-star year at https://t.co/Oacg3ePaER pic.twitter.com/QelzXhTn1F

— Utah Sports Commission (@StateofSport) March 30, 2020

Gobert is the first Jazz player to win the award since 2018 when Donovan Mitchell took home the award. Pro golfer Tony Finau won the award in 2019.

This is the second time Gobert has won the award, first taking home the honor in 2017 during his breakout season with the Jazz.

At his current pace, Gobert may need to add an extra win to his home to house his growing trophy collection. The Jazz center is the reigning two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, has been selected to two All-NBA teams, is a three-time All-Defensive First team member, a 2020 NBA All-Star, and won the 2019 Alain Gilles Award given to the best French basketball player,

Grand honneur pour moi d’avoir reçu le trophée #AlainGilles du meilleur basketteur français de l’année 🙏🏽. Merci 👍🏽🇫🇷. pic.twitter.com/MYwP7SO7qs

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) October 14, 2019

Regardless of how the NBA season ends, Gobert is a lock to earn another All-Defensive team selection and will be one of the favorites to repeat as Defensive Player of the Year for a third consecutive season.

Other Utah State of Sport Award winners includes Pro Female Athlete winners Christen Press and Kelley O’Hara, and University of Utah running back Zack Moss who took home the Male College Athlete of the Year award.