The 8 Greatest Jazz players in history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
By Will Eudy
3. Rudy Gobert - 22.1
Easily one of the most recognizable names over the last decade in Utah, Rudy Gobert defined the Jazz for the second half of the 2010s and first few seasons of the 2020s. Initially drafted by the organization with the 27th pick in 2013, Rudy's prowess as a master at the defensive end of the floor elevated Utah back to the level of a top contender in the Western Conference.
By Rudy's second season in 2014-15, he was already a top-five finisher in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He would go on to win the prestigious award in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Most consider him the headliner to win it for a fourth time in the current season, a feat that has only been accomplished by two players in history before (Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo).
Gobert's ultra-high defensive IQ combined with his elite physical tools make him one of the best defensive players of all time. In 2021, he had arguably the best individual season of his career, not only winning DPOY but taking home an All-NBA selection, All-Defensive First Team honors and a berth in the All-Star game as well.
After a down year acclimating to a new system in Minnesota, Rudy is right back to dominating at the defensive end, and he remains one of the most statistically impactful players in Jazz history.