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Gobert says sense of smell 'still not 100 percent'

Alex Goodlett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert hasn't yet fully recovered from COVID-19.

Gobert says his sense of smell remains noticeably weaker despite testing positive for the disease back on March 11.

"The taste has returned, but the smell is still not 100 percent. I can smell the smells, but not from afar," he told French outlet L'Equipe, according to NBC Sports via Google Translate. "I spoke to specialists who told me that it could take up to a year."

A loss of taste and/or smell is one of several symptoms reported by those who contract the disease, according to the CDC.

Gobert was the first known NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus. The NBA immediately responded by announcing the season's indefinite suspension. The following day, Gobert's teammate, Donovan Mitchell, also tested positive.

Both Gobert and Mitchell were medically cleared March 27 and are expected to play for the Jazz when the 2019-20 season resumes next month in Orlando. However, Utah will be without forward Bojan Bogdanovic after the forward underwent season-ending surgery on his wrist in May.

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