Five and a half years ago, Rudy Gobert casually played a pickup game with a lanky teenager from France. Now, that same teenager, Victor Wembanyama, has taken the NBA by storm—and Gobert isn't surprised one bit.

For the Minnesota Timberwolves center, Wembanyama's rapid rise was written in the stars long before he entered the league. The 7-foot-4 phenom showed his true colors during their time together on the French national team at the 2024 Olympics, and it wasn't just his game that impressed Gobert—it was his mind.

"Nothing really surprised me about his growth," Gobert told reporters. "I've watched him a lot, watched him evolve. The way he works, the way he takes care of himself. His thirst for knowledge."

Gobert shared a telling story about Wembanyama's unique approach to life: "A few weeks ago, he asked me what kind of water filter I had in my house. It just shows you how his mind works. I try to talk to the young guys here about the food they eat, but I don't get those kinds of questions."

The "young guys" comment was a clear, playful jab at his Timberwolves teammates—specifically Anthony Edwards, who is famously less concerned with water filtration and more focused on his gaming snacks. When asked if Edwards has ever asked about health or nutrition, Gobert didn't hold back: "Not yet. I'll pray for that day when that happens."

Edwards, for his part, has publicly admitted to eating three bags of Chester's Hot Fries daily and even ordered McDonald's during a post-game press conference. But don't mistake his snack choices for a lack of ambition. During the Olympics, Edwards found a different mentor in Stephen Curry, who taught him to "let it fly" from deep. The result? Edwards led the NBA in three-pointers made during the 2024-25 season with 320 makes.

While Gobert hasn't seen that same curiosity from Edwards, he's witnessed it plenty in Wembanyama. "He's 22 years old and already dedicated to his health. It says a lot," Gobert concluded.

Gobert isn't alone in his praise. NBA legends like Jamal Crawford and Hakeem Olajuwon have also trained with Wembanyama and marveled at his hunger to learn. For a young player who stands head and shoulders above the competition, it's that thirst for knowledge—and that question about water filters—that truly sets him apart.