By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Spanish basketball star, Ricky Rubio, announced that he “decided to stop his professional activity to take care of his mental health,” just weeks before the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Sergio Scariolo was one of the first to show support to the experienced point guard, as his longtime coach in the Spanish national team.
“In La Familia, people have always come before results. All my love and support to Ricky, and my admiration for his transparency and, through it, his ability once again to lead by example,” Scariolo wrote on social media.
Many others followed, with Willy Hernangomez writing “never too high, never too low,” Rudy Fernandez adding “always with you, little brother,” and Sergio Llull stating “may that smile never disappear.”
Ricky Rubio was expected to be a key player in Sergio Scariolo’s team, aiming to reclaim the world champions’ title they achieved four years ago in China, with Rubio named the MVP.
He started his career at Joventut and later joined Barça from 2009 to 2011, where he was part of the squad that won the 2010 Euroleague in Paris. Rubio then moved to the NBA in the summer of 2011, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers during his twelve seasons in the league.