Rudy Gobert teams with top shooting coach to boost offensive skills ahead of Year 13

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is focusing on improving his offensive skills, particularly his footwork and scoring ability within 15 feet, during the offseason ahead of his 13th NBA season. He is working in Spain with renowned shooting coach Chris Matthews, who praised Gobert's commitment and shared video of the 7-footer training.

Matthews highlighted his work with elite scorers like Anthony Davis and stated Gobert is dedicated to "mastering his footwork and learning quicker reads." This focus addresses a significant weakness in Gobert's game, as he has historically struggled to create his own shot and be a scoring threat outside of dunks and lobs near the rim.

Statistics from Cleaning the Glass underscore his offensive limitations: while dominant close to the basket (75% within 4 feet), Gobert made only 23% of his shots between 4-14 feet last season (17-of-75), ranking him in the 7th percentile. He missed all six attempts beyond 14 feet.

Any progress in Gobert's offensive game would significantly benefit the Timberwolves' offense for the 2025-26 season, complementing stars like Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and others. Gobert has averaged 13.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game during his three seasons with Minnesota.