Watch: Rudy Gobert knocks down 3-pointers in France training despite being 0-14 in NBA career

Rudy Gobert has been one of the best defensive players and rim protectors in the NBA. His defensive skills make him valuable for contending teams and this is one of the main reasons that led the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade for him last summer.

On the other hand, his offensive repertoire is very limited, as he can't shoot the ball from mid-range and doesn't have a lot of moves in the post. However, he is very productive while finishing plays above the rim.

Rudy Gobert doesn't shoot the ball well from beyond the arc either. As a matter of fact, he is 0-for-14 in 3-pointers in his career. This might change in the future, though.

While preparing with the national team of France for the FIBA World Cup 2023, Rudy Gobert was seen hitting consecutive 3s in practice, which is quite unusual given his track record. If Gobert adds the 3-pointer to his offensive arsenal, this will add another dimension to his playing style.

Rudy Gobert focuses on winning the FIBA World Cup 2023 with France

Rudy Gobert has shifted his focus from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the national team of France. The star big man is looking forward to the FIBA World Cup 2023 and has his sights set on leading his squad to the top of the world.

“I really like the state of mind we have at the start of the cycle,” Gobert said (via L’Equipe). “We are going to play a FIBA World Cup, where there are more games than in the Olympic Games. We want to continue to progress every day, including during the competition. The end goal is to win the gold medal, the one we haven’t yet managed to get.”

Gobert has been preparing for another major FIBA tournament since he got eliminated in the NBA playoffs in early May. He admitted that he feels better than he did at the end of the last season, thanks to dedicating two months of hard work to recover from a tough season and prepare his body.

“It’s always a pleasure to meet the guys, players that I don’t see most of the year,” Gobert said. “I feel better than at the end of the previous season. I was able to do two months of individual training, where I prepared my body physically and technically. I feel in great shape.”

Rudy Gobert will play in his fourth straight major FIBA tournament with France and aims to win his first gold medal with the French. He has won five medals with the senior men’s national team, including silver at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 last September, and brings an imposing presence as one of the elite rim protectors in the world of basketball.

Gobert headlines a France roster that is full of experienced NBA and EuroLeague players, like Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier and Nando De Colo, among others.

Here is France's 12-man roster for the FIBA World Cup 2023:

• Nicolas Batum
• Nando De Colo
• Moustapha Fall
• Evan Fournier
• Sylvain Francisco
• Rudy Gobert
• Mathias Lessort
• Frank Ntilikina
• Elie Okobo
• Yakuba Ouattara
• Terry Tarpey
• Guerschon Yabusele

During the FIBA World Cup 2023, France will play in Group H in Jakarta, Indonesia, and face Canada, Latvia, and Lebanon. If France advances to the Second Round, they will play teams from Group G, consisting of Iran, Spain, and Ivory Coast.