Gobert Unveils Court At Upcoming Rudy Gobert Academy
Sep 9, 2021, 1:56 PM | Updated: 2:04 pm
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert playing for France (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
(Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rudy Gobert unveiled a new basketball court that will be at the center of the Rudy Gobert Academy in Levallois-Perret, France.
Gobert attended the debut in his native country to launch an academy that will offer youth from ages 10-16 lessons in English, writing, music, community outreach, and athletic development.
The Utah Jazz superstar teamed with Nike to build the court entirely of recycled materials and Etendart to assist with the educational aspect of the academy. Etendart offers 12-week internships during school holidays for students in Europe.
Rudy’s Kids est très fier de pouvoir vous dévoiler son nouveau playground à Levallois sur les Quais de Seine !
Il représente beaucoup plus qu’un simple terrain de basket puisqu’il sera au cœur de la toute nouvelle Rudy Gobert Académie, afin d’accompagner de nombreux jeunes. pic.twitter.com/lCW6lRmCmA
— Rudy’s Kids (@RudysFoundation) September 8, 2021
The court features an outstretched Gobert blocking a shot that reaches nearly baseline to baseline.
Adorned with bright colors, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is surrounded by skyscrapers and the phrase “Write your own story.”
The court was built over a formerly decaying court that sat in the town.
“Very happy to have welcomed @rudygobert27 on the occasion of the inauguration of the basketball court and the launch of its Academy #Levallois,” Levallois mayor Agnès Pottier-Dumas tweeted.
A dream come true 🙏🏽, thank you @nike for the tremendous support, thanks @villelevallois for welcoming us. And of course big thanks to Etendard and @paradestudio for your amazing work. #firstofmany pic.twitter.com/VDtYG5V7Ka
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) September 9, 2021
In a tweet from Gobert, the two-time All-Star showed how the court was built using recycled materials and hinted at more projects designed to help kids in his home country.
“A dream come true, thank you @Nike for the tremendous support, thanks @villelevallois for welcoming us.” Gobert tweeted. And of course big thanks to Etendard and @paradestudio for your amazing work. #firstofmany”
Gobert is the namesake of the Rudy’s Kids Foundation which supports a variety of charities that benefit kids through education, recreation, community health, and community outreach, and worked with the town to develop the basketball court and academy.
In addition to Gobert, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic and freestyle soccer star Lisa Zimouche serve as ambassadors for Etendart to help develop space spaces for youth in France to develop their athletic skills.
