- Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert sent multiple pairs of size 20 shoes to 15-year-old Harrison Wiesneth after a mother’s Instagram message.
- Harrison, a 6’10” high school player, previously relied on one donated pair of Gobert’s castoffs that wore out midseason.
- The gift arrived just before Christmas and the family’s unboxing video went viral online.
Big shoes, big problem
At 6’10”, Hiawatha Collegiate High School freshman Harrison Wiesneth already stands out on the court — and off it. His rapid growth created a practical challenge: finding basketball shoes in size 20. His mother, Samantha, says the search took months and relied on help from local trainers and connections to the Timberwolves facility.
From castoffs to a direct message
Last year Harrison played in a single pair of size 20 shoes that staff said came from Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert. When the shoes wore out — the air bubble in the Nike pair popped — they began to affect Harrison’s knees and ability to play comfortably.
With few retail options for such large sizes, Samantha took a chance and sent Gobert a direct message on Instagram. To her surprise, Gobert replied and agreed to help.
The arrival and reaction
Just days before Christmas, a large package arrived. In a now-viral video shared tens of thousands of times, Harrison pulls multiple pairs of size 20 basketball shoes from the box, along with Timberwolves gear, Nike slides and Air Force Ones he’d wanted for casual wear.
“I opened it, peeked in it, and then I was like, ‘It’s really here!’” Samantha said. Harrison added, “He’s the reason I’m able to have shoes to play. I’m just so thankful.”
Why Gobert helped
After a Timberwolves win, KARE11 asked Gobert about the gift. He said he remembered being a kid with big feet and how a former NBA player, Alexis Ajinça, helped him when he was 18 by giving clothes and shoes. Gobert said he wanted to pay that forward.
“I was happy to put together a little box and then choose some shoes for him to be able to wear,” Gobert said. He added that seeing the unboxing video “made my day.”
Watch the unboxing
The family’s clip of Harrison opening the shoes has circulated widely on social platforms. Share links from the original story: View share on Twitter or Share on Facebook.
Impact for a young player
Harrison splits time this season between varsity and junior varsity. The new shoes will help protect his knees and let him focus on development rather than the limits of uncommon shoe sizes. For the Wiesneth family, the gesture was both practical and personal — a reminder that small acts from pro athletes can make a big difference for young players chasing their dreams.
Image Referance: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/rudy-gobert-sends-size-20-shoes-to-a-15-year-old-basketball-player-who-needed-them/89-2d319c32-ab5c-4256-8c0e-507e7a4b1caa