SPORTS

Gobert’s letter to fans expresses thanks after news of contract extension

Dec 20, 2020, 1:32 PM

criminal...

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2020, file photo, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert shoots during practice before a NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

SALT LAKE CITY — Rudy Gobert’s letter to Jazz fans started simply. “Dear Utah,” he wrote, “I don’t say a lot.”

From there, the man who has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract extension valued at $205 million thanked Jazz fans for treating him the way he tries to treat others — respectfully, despite their differences. 

In Gobert’s letter, he thanked fans for “seeing him through the good times, [as well as the] struggles and mistakes.” And he said he’s “here to stay and to win a championship.” 


The letter was published around the same time word got out that the Utah Jazz wants to keep Rudy around for a while.

Details of the contract extension

Citing his commitment, competitiveness, and dedication to winning, Utah Jazz management announced Sunday that the team has signed Rudy Gobert to a contract extension.

The Jazz did not elaborate on the details, but multiple sources including ESPN and The Athletic reported that the extension is for five years and is worth $205 million.

Gobert, a French native, has accompanied the Jazz to four postseason appearances in a row and participated in seven playoff games in 2020. There, he averaged 16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in nearly 39 minutes per game.

According to a statement from the team, Gobert ranks first in all-time field goal percentage in the Jazz record books. He ranks third in offensive rebounds and fifth in blocks.

“Rudy’s competitiveness and will to win have been instrumental in watching how he has grown and evolved into an elite player in our league,” Head Coach Quin Snyder said in a statement.

“He is dedicated to his teammates and to winning here in Utah …. I look forward to seeing how he continues to make an impact through his dedication to kids and to our community.”  

Gobert’s impact to the Utah community was evident in the months after he tested positive for COVID-19. The NBA season was placed on hiatus after Gobert and then Donovan Mitchell, both tested positive for the virus around March 11, 2020.

Gobert reportedly felt responsible for the hiatus, and donated $200,000 to part-time Jazz workers that lost income because of game cancellations. He also gave more than $300,000 to families impacted by COVID-19 in Utah,  Oklahoma City, and his home country of France.

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Sports

Utah Jazz Collin Sexton...

Ben Anderson

Jazz 3-18 Since Trade Deadline After Loss To Spurs

At 3-18 since the trade deadline, the Jazz now sit behind the 4-19 Portland Trail Blazers as the league’s worst team since February 8.

13 hours ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Utah Utes guard Ines Vieira (2) shoots the ball with Colorado Buffaloes guard Frida Formann (3) jum...

MICHELLE BODKIN

Utah women’s basketball team forced to move hotels after racial hate crimes during NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament was supposed to be a fun experience for the University of Utah women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Attendees climb at the grand opening of an outdoor climbing wall outside of Millcreek City Hall on ...

Collin Leonard, KSL.com

Olympian and hopefuls break in Utah’s biggest outdoor climbing wall at Millcreek City Hall

The Millcreek City Hall opened a brand new climbing wall on Saturday. It's the tallest outdoor wall in Utah.

4 days ago

All smiles at the NCAA Tournament. on March 20, 2024....

MItch Harper

LISTEN: The vibe in Omaha ahead of BYU’s Dance debut

On Wednesday, BYU basketball completed its one open practice of the NCAA Tournament at the CHI Health Center.

8 days ago

BYU regularly has honored the "no Sunday" play rule in each tournament it's played in, but it's bei...

Mitch Harper

NCAA committee dropped BYU down to no. 6 seed because of ‘no Sunday’ rule

BYU basketball was the highest-rated 5-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, yet they ended up with a 6-seed because the "no Sunday" rule.

10 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Gobert’s letter to fans expresses thanks after news of contract extension