Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, the first NBA player who tested positive for COVID-19, recorded a video released by the NBA urging people to take the appropriate precautions to limit the coronavirus from spreading during the pandemic.
“It’s all about protecting yourself and the people around you,” Gobert said in the video, which the NBA released on social media Sunday afternoon. “I wish I would have took this thing more seriously, and I hope everyone else is gonna do so, because we can do it together.
“Take care and stay safe.”
A message from @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/eKV6asutGN
— NBA (@NBA) March 15, 2020
Gobert was the first of three NBA players to test positive for coronavirus, prompting the suspension of the league’s season. The others were Jazz co-star Donovan Mitchell and Detroit Pistons center Christian Wood, who matched up against Gobert in Utah’s March 7 road win.
Gobert issued an apology Friday on Instagram for his “careless” actions that endangered people before he was aware that he was infected with the virus. He jokingly mocked the NBA’s temporary media restrictions, which kept reporters at least six to eight feet away from coaches and players, by intentionally touching all the microphones and recording devices in front of him after his post-shootaround availability Monday. He had a similar cavalier attitude about coronavirus precautions in the locker room, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
On Sunday, in a selfie video recorded while in isolation, Gobert said he has “been feeling a little bit better every day” before reiterating some basic actions to help limit the spread of coronavirus.
“I just want to make sure to remind you guys to keep washing your hands frequently with soap and water,” Gobert said. “Try to avoid touching your face, your nose, your eyes. And of course, try to avoid making unnecessary contact with people.”