Is Rudy Gobert playing today against Brazil? Latest on the France center's status | 2024 Paris Olympics (July 27)

France will again rely on Rudy Gobert in patrolling the paint at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Minnesota Timberwolves center and four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner is expected to lead Les Bleus to a medal on their home floor at the Olympics.

Gobert is listed as healthy and available for their first game versus Brazil in the group phase. The longtime national team member will be paired alongside fellow giant and San Antonio Spurs wunderkind Victor Wembanyama.

France is hoping to better its silver medal finish in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after losing to Team USA in the gold medal game. Gobert has long been a big part of France’s international basketball success, winning two bronze medals in the FIBA World Cup and one Olympic silver.

Rudy Gobert will bring his defensive brilliance and rim protection to France, especially against Brazil, who also boasts a twin tower of Christiano Felicio and Bruno Caboclo. Brazil will be led by former LA Lakers player Marcelo Huertas.

Aside from Gobert and Wembanyama, France will also be fielding NBA players Bilal Coulibaly, Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier. They also have former NBA players Frank Ntilikina, Guerschon Yabusele and Nando De Colo.

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Rudy Gobert wants defense to be France’s calling card in the Olympics

With two seven-footers on the team, France is anticipated to be an effective defensive team. As FIBA and Olympic basketball play on a smaller court than the NBA, Rudy Gobert’s length and rim protection are magnified, as the court’s size shrinks the floor for offenses.

Having the manpower for a defensive-oriented team, Rudy Gobert wants Les Bleus to lean on their defense in the Olympics to offset their lack of offensive firepower.

“We are lucky to have a team with experience, but we know if we want a chance to go all the way (we need) to be strong defensively. Our defense will fuel our attack.

"We are working very hard to be able to maximize our strengths and qualities with consistency,” said Gobert.

Gobert also said that they are entering the tournament as confident contenders, hoping to bring their silver-medal momentum from the previous Olympics three years ago:

“We talk about it every day. There is no doubting the power of this team,”

France finished last year’s FIBA World Cup in 18th place, a disappointing finish following years of international breakthroughs. Now, they hope to bounce back on their home soil in the biggest sporting event in the world.

France is grouped with Brazil, Germany, and Japan. They are expected to top the group phase and reach the quarterfinals.