ABOUTone of the most important figures of recent times in European basketball is Ricky Rubio. His talent, maturity and ability on the court have made him a sought after player in the NBA and a dream player in Europe. The World Championships in China, the Olympic Games in Tokyo and the last season before injury in Cleveland are proof of supernatural talent … and a born player.
But time passes for everyone and Ricky, 32, is entering a new stage in her career. His return to action with Cleveland Cavaliers was difficult and despite the fact that with a Catalan on the court Cavs attacking better, never regained his rhythm after a serious knee injury. In the end, he finished with 5.2 points and 2.1 assists in an average of 17 minutes per night. This new phase also opens up more questions: Will Ricky are you thinking of returning to Europe? It seems closer than ever.
“I’m starting to think about coming back,” he told the sports podcast La Sotana.
He never said it so clearly. And there seems to be room in the mind.
“Back home. To Barcelona. Close to home,” he added.
It doesn’t mean a direct way to Barcelona, the club with which he won the EuroLeague in Paris in 2010, the club’s last EuroLeague title. But there are clear signals. There are other options youtheven Girona With Mark Gasol present, one of his great friends on the dance floor.
“I still have two years of contract. Maybe a year. We’ll see,” he stressed.
Materially, Rubio he has two more years at a good salary level. It improves to $6.1 million in 2023-24, rising to $6.43 million in 2024-25 – $4.2 million guaranteed. That’s about 12 million. So, if Europe is willing to take the risk… it will take a record price to break the contract with the NBA or agree to his departure.
still in Rubiothe mind is more than the NBA.
“When my son goes to school, there will be no NBA. I will have to come back. I don’t want to fool around when he’s six, the age he starts to be friends. I talked about it with my wife, it’s very clear to us. This is a time when basketball will not be a priority.”
This future may even cross other boundaries.
“I would love to play in Italy for a year, I like the country, the food, the language… But maybe it’s too late.”
He thinks about Europe, although he still has an NBA connection and involvement with the Spanish national team.
The World Cup is approaching, which Spain will play in Indonesia and the Philippines and Ricky he has always shown commitment and willingness, although his physical condition is the number one priority for both the player and the Federation. Under normal circumstances, it should be there… But nothing is certain yet.
