New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Jan 3, 2022. (GERALD HERBERT / AP)

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, whose COVID-19 diagnosis stunned the world of professional sport near the start of the pandemic, has entered health and safety protocols, the National Basketball Association team said on Thursday.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert's March 2020 diagnosis was the first in a series of COVID-19 positives that effectively shut down North American sport

The Frenchman's March 2020 diagnosis was the first in a series of COVID-19 positives that effectively shut down North American sport. He tested positive days after infamously touching reporters' microphones at the end of a news conference, emerging as an early cautionary tale of the pandemic.

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The twice NBA All-Star, who is over seven feet tall and specializes in shot blocking and defense hence his nickname The Stifle Tower, was one of two players listed as out due to health and safety protocols, according to Thursday's Jazz injury report.

The team are third in the Western Conference, with 28 wins and 10 losses.