Gobert starts living up to his promise

MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Rudy Gobert is playing at his first senior national team tournament for France. But it didn't look like it in France's major upset of Spain in the Quarter-Finals of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

The 22-year-old big man played a tournament-high 23 minutes and scored five points, including a big dunk early in the game to go with a steal and a block. But knowing the quality of Spain's players in the post, it was the 2.15m center's rebounding which was key as he grabbed 13 boards, including four on the offensive glass.

"I knew defending Pau (Gasol) and the others was my mission and I knew that I had to stop him if we wanted to win," said Gobert, whose 13 rebounds brought his average for the tournament up to 5.1 to go with 4.1 points.

I just tried to make things difficult for Gasol and the others - Gobert

When asked if it was his best game for France, Gobert said: "Of course. For my career and the season coming up it's great for my confidence. But now I need to stay focused and help the team."

The job that Gobert and fellow 22-year-old Joffrey Lauvergne - who is averaging 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds - have done shows that France have some young big players coming into the system.

"I believe they are stepping up. You could see how hard Joffrey and Rudy worked last night and how they are following my lead and that of Boris (Diaw)," said Nicolas Batum.

Gobert had enough potential that the Utah Jazz traded for him on the night of the 2013 NBA Draft. He ended up playing 45 games for the Jazz, averaging 2.3 points and 3.4 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game in his rookie season. 

When asked if Gobert realised some of his potential in the game against Spain, France coach Vincent Collet offered up: "It looks like it."

"Rudy is a young player. In the NBA he doesn't play very many minutes. He was not ready when he left France two years ago," he went on.

"Since the beginning of the preparations we have to talk to him every day. But he has a real desire to do good."

Talking to reporters after the game, Gobert finished up an interview by saying: "Look man, I'm getting better", gave a sly smile and walked on.

FIBA