In the NBA, the importance of having veterans on the team as role models and mentors who can show younger players the ropes has always been discussed. Yes, teams have coaches who can do so as well, but perhaps NBA newcomers can sometimes find it easier to relate to a player because they have the same job title.
Chris Finch has previously mentioned how integral it is to have those types of players on the roster. Recently, Finch appeared on the Road Trippin’ Show podcast, where former NBA player and current broadcaster Richard Jefferson mentioned how good franchises have veteran presences. Finch went on to talk about Gobert.
“It matters when Rudy is eating clean, healthy food every day, and rookies are looking at him like, ‘What are you eating that for?" Finch said. “Rudy’s trying to educate them on how to eat. Over time, you see the changes. You have to see the consistency of performance.”
Having Gobert, who is not only a leader but also an impactful player, is a great thing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gobert is an amazing role model for young players
Being a veteran presence who can help the younger players may be an even more important role for Gobert this season. Many of the team’s other veterans from last season have left. Mike Conley signed with the Boston Celtics. Kyle Anderson has joined the Toronto Raptors. Joe Ingles is heading back to play in Australia.
That leaves Gobert as the team’s oldest and most experienced player. He is now 34 years old and preparing for his 14th NBA season. The only other player on Minnesota’s roster who is even 30 years old is Trey Lyles, and he was playing overseas last season.
As noted, Gobert's on-court impact is immense. He remains one of the very best rim protectors in the league who can also shut down players as a one-on-one defender. Gobert's on-court impact is rightfully praised, but his veteran leadership can't be forgotten about.
Eating habits are not something that players just entering the league always think about, but they have been something Gobert has really focused on. In an article on Andscape written by Marc J. Spears in March, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year spoke about the importance of eating right.
“So, if you eat food that nourishes you,” Gobert said, “that removes inflammation [from] your body. Obviously, you’re giving your joints, your muscles, your tendons, all your cells—you’re giving them the opportunity to recover better. So, obviously, you lengthen your career and your life.”
In his post-playing career, Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade has talked about eating pretty much anything he wanted when he first came to the league before realizing the importance of a more nutritious diet. Having a voice like Gobert’s in the ears of players such as Isaiah Evans, Joan Beringer, and Jaylen Clark may not only help them currently but also potentially extend their careers.
Speaking of Beringer, he may have landed in the perfect spot after the Timberwolves selected him 17th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Both he and Gobert are from France, so they have that in common. Plus, much of Beringer’s potential long-term value comes on the defensive end, and who better to learn from than someone who is tied for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards in league history?
It’s been a lengthy career for Gobert, and there hasn’t been much falloff, if any. He made the All-Defensive First Team last season. Younger players can look to him as evidence that maintaining a strict diet can increase their chances of playing well into their 30s.
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