After an intense predraft workout on June 20, 2013, a baby-faced Rudy Gobert greeted a scrum of media at the Portland Trail Blazers practice facility.
Just six days before his 21st birthday, the Frenchman matched up against Pittsburgh’s Steven Adams for the third time as they prepared for the 2013 NBA Draft.
“It’s like I’m taller but he’s stronger so we just compete and try to play hard and he’s good,” Gobert admitted.
“It’s cool, it’s fun because he’s a giant,” a facial hairless Adams said back then. “Oh my God, he’s a large human being, man.