Footage making the rounds online shows NBA player Rudy Gobert playfully touching all of the microphones and phones from media that were put in front him during a press conference days before news broke that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
In a short clip that has racked up more than 3 million views on Twitter, the Utah Jazz star center could be seen smiling while touching the devices as he began to exit the press event on Monday amid laughter from some off-camera.
So...here is Rudy touching all the mics following Mondays shoot around that has some people concerned... #TakeNote #utahjazz #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/dr4auECTr4
— Dave Fox (@Davefox2) March 12, 2020
On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that Gobert had become the first player in the NBA to test positive for COVID-19.
Later on Wednesday night, the league announced it would be suspending the current season until further notice as it plans its next steps.
“The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena,” the NBA said.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice," it continued. "The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
ESPN correspondent Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell has also tested positive for the coronavirus.
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for the coronavirus, league sources tell ESPN. Jazz players privately say that Rudy Gobert had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings. Now a Jazz teammate has tested positive.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2020
