Ricky Rubio isn’t retiring after all. He has signed a contract with Spain’s Joventut Badalona, according to an announcement from the team.
Rubio ended his NBA career in January 2024 and returned to his home country of Spain, where he finished that season with Barcelona. He didn’t play for Barcelona this past season after taking a hiatus for mental health reasons.
Rubio indicated in June after posting a thank-you message on social media that he was still deciding whether to play again.
“Everything is open. I might play again – why not? – or I might not, and that wouldn’t be a bad idea either,” Rubio said. “It’s something I’d like to consider in the near future. For now, I just wanted to say thank you and also see how it affects me as a person, and if it gives me energy to move in one direction or another.”
Playing for Joventut Badalona represents a full circle move. Rubio started his pro career with the organization in 2005 and remained there until he signed with Barcelona in 2009.
Rubio was the fifth pick of the NBA draft in 2009 and came stateside two years later. He played for Minnesota, Utah, Phoenix and Cleveland over the course of 12 seasons, averaging 10.8 points and 7.4 assists in 698 career games.
Always been one of my favorite players. Happy to see him finding joy in ball again.
Great quote too. Why not?
Good for him <3
And What were his Career NBA Shooting Statistics??
How many points in how many minutes?
At least the Timberpuppies took him ahead of Jonny Flynn.
Too bad they didn’t draft that guy Curry at #6.
I hear he has been pretty good.
His 3 ball got to pretty respectable levels. I’ll take the lower fg% for someone who can orchestrate an offense at his level and is an immensely good person.
I mean, he probably always just felt more comfortable in Spain. Imagine spending your 20s away from your friends and family in a foreign country?
While making 130 million dollars. The horror!
You can’t put a price on friends and family. Yeah he’s rich, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact your mental health. A lot of really rich people don’t actually have real friends.
Still the best point guard from the 2009 draft.
Uhhhhh no
Ricky legend, NBA needs more players like him!