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WATCH: NBA Player Alleged To Have Coronavirus Touched Reporters’ Mics, Recorders

   DailyWire.com
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 06: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 06, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

Rudy Gobert, an NBA player for the Utah Jazz, has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, which comes after he touched the microphones and recorders of reporters this week as the team took heightened precautions amid fears of a coronavirus outbreak.

News broke as the Utah Jazz were set to tip-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, which led to the immediate cancellation of the game and postponement of the NBA season.

ESPN reported that the player who tested positive was Gobert and that “Jazz and Thunder players were being quarantined at the arena.”

Video footage quickly emerged online of Gobert touching reporter’s microphones and recorders on Monday during a press conference.

“Amid coronavirus concerns, the NBA has implemented procedures that isolate players from the media. The goal is reportedly keeping players 6-8 feet from the media. So, group interviews have generally been done with the player at a table or podium rather than in a scrum,” NBC Sports reported. “Jazz center Rudy Gobert has no respect for these precautions.”

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The Jazz and Thunder were set to tip off on Wednesday night when medical staff ran onto the court and talked to officials, who then suspended the game.

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The NBA later announced that it was suspending game play for the rest of the season after a player tested positive for the coronavirus, which originated in China.

“The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminary tested positive for COVID-19,” the NBA said in a statement. “The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and the 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 is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the statement continued. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”

The news comes after the NCAA announced earlier in the day that it was effectively banning the public from attending NCAA tournament games.

“The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. “Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.”

“While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States,” Emmert continued. “This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”

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