Rudy Gobert gave game-worn arm sleeves to children before testing positive for coronavirus
DETROIT -- An NBA player who on Wednesday tested positive for the novel coronavirus was seen five days earlier handing his game-worn arm sleeves to young fans at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 before Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the wake of that diagnosis, the NBA became the first pro sports organization in the U.S. to suspended play as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the country.
It's unclear whether Gobert had contracted the coronavirus when he played the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Symptoms can be dormant in people who have the respiratory virus. Gobert on Monday joked about the coronavirus and touched reporters' microphones and recorders.
The NBA had sent out advisories to teams stressing the need to keep hands clean, avoid handshakes and not rub hands on one's face. The league also cautioned against any interaction with fans, including high-fives and autograph
In a video posted to the message board website Reddit, Gobert can be seen removing his arm sleeves after the Jazz's 111-105 victory. He hands one of them to a child as he exits the court, then hands the other arm sleeve to another child as he heads into the tunnel.
The Free Press confirmed the authenticity of the video by comparing photos from Gobert's three games at Little Caesars Arena. On Saturday, Gobert wore a blue Jazz jersey with yellow lettering. He also wore yellow shoes. On Jan. 24, 2018, the Jazz wore the same blue jerseys; however, Gobert did not wear arm sleeves and he wore white and blue shoes. On Jan. 5, 2019, the Jazz wore purple jerseys.
An email to the Pistons was not immediately returned.
Gobert and his teammate Donovan Mitchell are the only NBA players to publicly reveal a positive test for the coronavirus. Mitchell also played in the game against the Pistons.
The Pistons are self-isolating the team, coaching staff and traveling party in the wake of Gobert and Mitchell's diagnoses.