View source for Ricky Rubio

{{short description|Spanish basketball player (born 1990)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{family name hatnote|Rubio|Vives|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Ricky Rubio
| image = Ricky Rubio (51657225617) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Rubio with the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in 2021
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 190
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|10|21|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[El Masnou]], Spain
| draft_year = 2009
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 5
| draft_team = [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]
| career_start = 2005
| years1 = 2005–2009
| team1 = [[Joventut Badalona]]
| years2 = 2009–2011
| team2 = [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]]
| years3 = {{nbay|2011|start}}–{{nbay|2016|end}}
| team3 = [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]
| years4 = {{nbay|2017|start}}–{{nbay|2018|end}}
| team4 = [[Utah Jazz]]
| years5 = {{nbay|2019|full=y}}
| team5 = [[Phoenix Suns]]
| years6 = {{nbay|2020|full=y}}
| team6 = Minnesota Timberwolves
| years7 = {{nbay|2021|start}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}
| team7 = [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
| years8 = 2024
| team8 = FC Barcelona
| highlights = * [[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All-Rookie First Team]] ({{nbay|2011|end}})
* [[FIBA Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player|FIBA World Cup MVP]] ([[2019 FIBA World Cup|2019]])
* [[EuroLeague]] champion ([[2009–10 Euroleague|2010]])
* [[EuroLeague Rising Star]] (2010)
* [[EuroLeague season statistical leaders#Steals Per Game|EuroLeague steals leader]] ([[2006–07 EuroLeague|2007]])
* [[EuroCup Basketball|EuroCup]] champion ([[2007–08 ULEB Cup|2008]])
* [[FIBA EuroChallenge]] champion ([[2005–06 FIBA EuroCup|2006]])
* [[Liga ACB]] champion ([[2010–11 ACB season|2011]])
* 3× [[Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|Copa del Rey]] winner ([[2008 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|2008]], [[2010 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|2010]], [[2011 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|2011]])
* [[Liga ACB]] Defensive Player of the Year ([[2008–09 ACB season|2009]])
* [[ACB Best Young Player|Liga ACB Rising Star]] ([[2006–07 ACB season|2007]])
* [[ACB Most Spectacular Player|Liga ACB Most Spectacular Player]] ([[2009–10 ACB season|2010]])
* 2× [[All-Liga ACB Team]] ([[2007–08 ACB season|2008]], [[2009–10 ACB season|2010]])
* [[Spanish Sportsman of the Year]] (2019)
* [[Mr. Europa|Mister Europa Player of the Year]] (2008)
* 3× [[FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award|FIBA Young Player of the Year]] (2007–2009)
* [[FIBA U16 EuroBasket|FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship]] MVP ([[2006 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship|2006]])
| nbanew = 201937
| medal_templates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|ESP}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Beijing]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Basketball World Cup|World Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2019 China]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[EuroBasket]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[Eurobasket 2009|2009 Poland]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[EuroBasket 2011|2011 Lithuania]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[EuroBasket 2013|2013 Slovenia]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[EuroBasket 2017|2017 Turkey]]|}}
| career_position = [[Point guard]]
| career_number = 3, 9, 13
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 7,570 (10.8 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 2,830 (4.1 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 5,160 (7.4 apg)
}}
'''Ricard Rubio Vives''' (born 21 October 1990) is an inactive Spanish professional [[basketball]] player. He became the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish [[Liga ACB]] on 15 October 2005, at age 14.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Ricky Rubio establece un nuevo récord al debutar en la ACB con catorce años|url=http://www.libertaddigital.com/php3/noticia.php3?cpn=1276263122|work=Libertad Digital|date=15 October 2005|access-date=14 August 2006|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312042248/http://www.libertaddigital.com/php3/noticia.php3?cpn=1276263122|archive-date=12 March 2007}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite magazine|first=Marty|last=Burns|title=NBA types will have their eyes on Spanish phenom Rubio at Olympics|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/marty_burns/08/07/rubio.olympics/|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=8 August 2008|access-date=8 August 2008}}</ref> Rubio made his [[EuroLeague]] debut on 24 October 2006, a few days after turning 16,<ref>{{cite web|title=Report - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL|url=https://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame/report?pcode=LFW&gamecode=7&seasoncode=E2006|website=Euroleague.net|date=21 May 2023|access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref> making him [[List of youngest EuroLeague players since the 2000–01 season|one of the youngest players to play in the EuroLeague]].

On 25 June 2009, Rubio was drafted with the fifth pick in the first round of the [[2009 NBA draft]] by the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]],<ref>NBA.com, [http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/Timberwolves_Select_Ricky_Rubio_at_No5-090625.html Wolves Select Ricky Rubio at No. 5], accessed 20 July 2009.</ref> making him the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted by an NBA team. The Timberwolves had an agreement in principle with his Spanish team, [[Joventut Badalona|DKV Joventut]], to buy out his contract, but Rubio backed out of the deal.<ref name="Backing out">{{cite news|title=Kahn: Rubio not ready to jump to NBA|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4437300|website=ESPN.com|date=1 September 2009|access-date=1 September 2009}}</ref> On 31 August 2009, Joventut traded the rights to Rubio to [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]],<ref name="Rubio to Barça">{{cite news|first1=Ric|last1=Bucher|first2=Chris|last2=Sheridan|title=Sources: Wolves can't work buyout|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4435861|name-list-style=amp|work=ESPN|date=31 August 2009|access-date=1 September 2009}}</ref> and Rubio signed a six-year contract with FC Barcelona the following day.<ref name="Barça signing">{{cite web|title=REGAL FCB scores teen sensation Rubio|url=http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/transactions/2009-10-signings/i/55545/3694/regal-fcb-scores-teen-sensation-ricky-rubio|publisher=[[Euroleague]]|date=1 September 2009|access-date=1 September 2009}}</ref> In 2011, Rubio joined the Timberwolves,<ref name="wojnarowski1">{{cite news|first=Adrian|last=Wojnarowski|title=Sources: Rubio, T'wolves reach deal|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_ricky_rubio_deal_timberwolves_060111 |work=Yahoo! Sports|date=1 June 2011|access-date=1 June 2011}}</ref> and spent six seasons in Minnesota before being traded to the [[Utah Jazz]] in June 2017. He signed with the [[Phoenix Suns]] in July 2019, before returning to Minnesota in 2020. Rubio was traded to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in August 2021, but was dealt to the [[Indiana Pacers]] a month after suffering a season ending ACL injury in December.

In August 2023, Rubio announced he was taking a break from the sport to prioritise his mental health. In January 2024, he announced that he would be retiring from the NBA.

==Professional career==
===Joventut (2005–2009)===
[[File:Camiseta autografata de Ricky Rubio (2009).jpg|thumb|250px|Signed Ricky Rubio jersey (2009)]]
Rubio debuted in the [[Liga ACB|Spanish ACB League]] in the 2005–06 season with [[Joventut Badalona|DKV Joventut]]. Rubio was the youngest player ever to debut in the ACB, at 14 years and 11 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/04/doncic-youngest-player-to-make-debut-for-real-madrid|title=Doncic, youngest player to make debut for Real Madrid|publisher=Real Madrid|access-date=July 2, 2018|date=April 30, 2015}}</ref> He won the [[FIBA EuroChallenge]] championship with Joventut that year. He led the Spanish ACB League in steals during the 2006–07 season. He also won the Spanish ACB League's [[ACB Rising Star Award|Rising Star Award]] that season. Rubio was also named the [[FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award|FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year]] in 2007, 2008, and 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2021/qualifiers|title=FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers 2021|website=FIBA.basketball}}</ref> He made his [[EuroLeague]] debut on 24 October 2006, versus [[Panathinaikos BC|Panathinaikos]] of [[Athens]] as Joventut's backup point guard for [[Elmer Bennett]]. He became the fifth-youngest EuroLeague player at the time. Rubio averaged 2.8 assists per game in his first season of EuroLeague play. He won the [[EuroCup Basketball|EuroCup]] championship with Joventut in 2008. He was also voted [[All-Liga ACB Team|the Spanish ACB League's best point guard]] in 2008 and 2010. He won the [[2009–10 Euroleague|2009–10 EuroLeague]] with FC Barcelona.

Despite his notability, he was carefully shielded. [[Joventut Badalona|DKV Joventut]] and Rubio's parents agreed not to make him available for interviews until his 18th birthday on 21 October 2008.<ref name="Sweet16">{{cite web|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8109/180/item |title=Sweet 16: Joventut's Rubio steals the show |work=Euroleague.net |date=February 13, 2007}}</ref> The restrictions were ended a few months early once he was selected for the [[Spain men's national basketball team|Spain national team]] that would play at the [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Olympics]].<ref name="La Pistola">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3469578 |title=La Pistola |first=Chad |last=Nielsen |work=[[ESPN The Magazine]] |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=December 17, 2008}}</ref>

Rubio won the 2008 [[Mr. Europa|Mr. Europa Award]], which was given out yearly by the Italian [[Superbasket Magazine]]. In 2009, his club Badalona raised the amount of money his contract paid per year from 80,000 euros [[net income]] to 300,000 euros net income.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.basketme.com/2.0/noticia.php?id=23104|title=BasketMe.COM|website=www.basketme.com|access-date=24 January 2009|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923184610/https://www.basketme.com/2.0/noticia.php?id=23104|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the Spanish ACB League 2008–09 season, and he also led the league in steals that season. Rubio declared himself eligible for the [[2009 NBA draft]] on 20 April 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/2009/04/20/baloncesto/acb/1240233918.html|title=Ricky Rubio confirma que se inscribirá en el 'draft' - MARCA.com|website=www.marca.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4084579|title=NBA Draft: Ricky Rubio to enter NBA draft - ESPN|date=April 20, 2009}}</ref> Rubio's agent during that time was [[Dan Fegan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.interbasket.net/news/2036/2009/04/ricky-rubio-declares-for-2009-nba-draft/|title=Ricky Rubio declares for 2009 NBA Draft|first=Ed|last=Ziti|date=April 21, 2009}}</ref>

===Barcelona (2009–2011)===
After the 2009 NBA draft, Rubio played for the [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]] for the next two seasons as agreed upon with the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]. During that time, he helped the team win the [[EuroLeague]] Championship in 2010 and the [[Liga ACB]] Championship in 2011.

===Minnesota Timberwolves (2011–2017)===
On 24 June 2009, the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] acquired the fifth pick in the [[2009 NBA draft]], [[Etan Thomas]], [[Darius Songaila]] and [[Oleksiy Pecherov]] from the [[Washington Wizards]], in exchange for [[Randy Foye]] and [[Mike Miller (basketball, born 1980)|Mike Miller]].<ref>{{cite web|date=June 24, 2009|title=Wolves Acquire the No. 5 Pick in 2009 NBA Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/Wolves_Acquire_the_No_5_Pick_-090624.html|access-date=June 24, 2009|work=NBA.com/Timberwolves|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc}}</ref> With the 5th pick, Minnesota selected Rubio, making him the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted with [[Steph Curry]] still on the board.<ref>Taylor, Nate. [http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/49150517.html Last first-round pick delivers guard only sweep] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705144744/http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/49150517.html|date=5 July 2009}}, ''[[Minneapolis Star-Tribune]]'', 26 June 2009.</ref> The Timberwolves had a total of four first-round picks in the 2009 NBA draft. They used the 6th and 18th picks in the first round and chose two other point guards, [[Jonny Flynn]] from [[Syracuse Orange men's basketball|Syracuse]] and [[Ty Lawson]] from [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]], surprising many in the NBA.<ref name="Knicks' interest">{{cite web|last=Sheridan|first=Chris|date=June 26, 2009|title=Knicks' interest heightens Rubio hype|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4290401|access-date=June 27, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Skeets">{{cite news|last=Skeets|first=J. E.|date=June 26, 2009|title=Report: Ricky Rubio's father says son may remain in Spain|work=Yahoo! Sports|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Report-Ricky-Rubio-s-father-says-son-may-remain?urn=nba,172985|access-date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> Lawson's draft rights were soon traded to the [[Denver Nuggets]].<ref name="Skeets" /> The Timberwolves then used the 28th pick to select [[Wayne Ellington]], a shooting guard from [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]].

The following day, Rubio's father told a Spanish media outlet his son might return to Spain for at least one more season.<ref name="Knicks' interest" /> Rubio did not attend an introductory press conference by the Timberwolves.<ref name="Rubio won't">{{cite news|date=June 26, 2009|title=Rubio won't be at Wolves press conference|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-06-26-4085123955_x.htm|access-date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> Rubio had a buyout clause in his Joventut contract reported by various media outlets as ranging from $6.6&nbsp;million to $8.2&nbsp;million, and Timberwolves general manager [[David Kahn (sports executive)|David Kahn]] admitted Rubio would probably have to play one more season in Spain to reduce or avoid the buyout.<ref name="Rubio won't" />

On 22 July, the [[Associated Press]] reported Rubio was seeking to leave Joventut, regardless of whether he was able to come to the NBA. The report indicated that the [[Liga ACB|ACB]] powers [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]] and [[Real Madrid Baloncesto|Real Madrid]] were both interested in signing Rubio if he could not immediately go to the NBA. The main stumbling block to Rubio's NBA move was a clause in the league's collective bargaining agreement that prohibited a team from paying more than $500,000 toward a player's contract buyout. Barça and Real, as ACB clubs, were not subject to this rule and could pay far more toward a buyout.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 22, 2009|title=Rubio plans to leave DKV Joventut|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4348398|access-date=July 23, 2009}}</ref> In another development, the ''[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]'' reported on 4 August Rubio's representatives had been actively seeking endorsement deals in Minnesota to help finance his buyout (the NBA buyout rules are binding on teams, but not on third parties).<ref>{{cite news|last=Walters|first=Charley|date=August 4, 2009|title=Shooter Now: Team Rubio hasn't given up on Timberwolves; A's finally land prospect from Twins|newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press|url=http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_12989711?nclick_check=1|access-date=August 7, 2009}}</ref>

However, on 31 August 2009, [[ESPN]] reported Rubio would not come to the NBA until 2011 at the earliest.<ref name="Rubio to Barça" /> Joventut expressed a willingness to reduce the buyout, and the Timberwolves apparently had a deal to bring him to the NBA, but in the end Rubio did not feel ready to cross the Atlantic. Rubio issued the following statement:<ref name="Backing out" />

{{blockquote|The reason leading me to take this next step is to have a period of preparation to better take the challenge of the NBA in better conditions as a player. The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be my first option and I wish to play with them in the near future.}}

Kahn believed Rubio and his family were being pressured by the Spanish media, his national teammates, and people in his hometown to stay in Spain, adding, "It's just been a tough summer. From an 18-year-old's perspective and his family's perspective, it was very nerve-racking".<ref name="Backing out" />

ESPN reported his original buyout with Joventut was [[Euro|€]]5.7&nbsp;million ($8.1&nbsp;million) in both 2009 and 2010.<ref name="Rubio to Barça" /> Barça bought out Rubio's contract for €3.5&nbsp;million ($5.0&nbsp;million), and announced on September 1 he had signed a six-year deal with the club. The contract gave him the option to go to the NBA after the 2010–11 season,<ref name="FCB release">{{cite press release|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/basquet/temporada09-10/09/n090901106510.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730184247/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/basquet/temporada09-10/09/n090901106510.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Ricky Rubio signs for six seasons|publisher=FC Barcelona|date=September 1, 2009|access-date=September 1, 2009}}</ref> with ESPN reporting the buyout at that time would be a more manageable $1.4&nbsp;million (of which the Timberwolves could pay $500,000).<ref name="Backing out" />

==== 2011–12 season ====
[[File:Ricky Rubio-MN v DET.jpg|thumb|left|Rubio in 2012]]
On 1 June 2011, sources reported Rubio had "reached an agreement with Minnesota to join the Timberwolves" for the [[2011–12 NBA season]].<ref name="wojnarowski1" /> Rubio arrived off a plane in Minnesota to a barrage of fans waiting to welcome him to the United States.<ref name="sbnation">{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-timberwolves/2011/6/20/2233841/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-arrival-video|title=Ricky Rubio Has Arrived In Minnesota, Press Conference Set For Tuesday – SB Nation Minnesota|date=June 20, 2011|publisher=minnesota.sbnation.com|access-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Lee|last=Jenkins|title=¡olé!: For two years Ricky Rubio was an NBA draft pick stewing in his native Spain. Now he is spreading joy in Minnesota with his artful passes and spirited play|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1193883/index.htm|access-date=January 23, 2012}}</ref> On 17 June 2011, Rubio held a press conference announcing he had signed with Minnesota.<ref name="sportingnews">{{cite web|url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-06-21/timberwolves-rubio-wins-press-conference-games-will-be-harder|title=Timberwolves' Rubio wins press conference; games will be harder {{pipe}} NBA {{pipe}} Sporting News|publisher=aol.sportingnews.com|access-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref>

Becoming the 10th Spanish NBA player,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportyou.es/noticias/baloncesto/2011/12/27/el-bautismo-del-decimo-391427.html|title=Página no encontrada|website=SPORTYOU 20minutos}}</ref> Rubio made his regular season debut on 26 December 2011, to a sellout crowd at the [[Target Center]], the team's first sellout crowd since the 2007–08 season. Rubio recorded 6 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in 26 minutes in a 4-point loss to the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Ricky_Rubio_impresses_but_Wolves_fall_to_Thunder_in_sellout_opener122611|title=Ricky Rubio impresses but Wolves fall to Thunder in Sellout Opener|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111123454/http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Ricky_Rubio_impresses_but_Wolves_fall_to_Thunder_in_sellout_opener122611|archive-date=January 11, 2012}}</ref> He was named Western Conference [[NBA Rookie of the Month Award|Rookie of the Month]] after the first month of the season.<ref name="cbslocal">{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/rubio-named-west-conf-rookie-of-the-month/|title=Rubio Named West Conf. Rookie Of The Month « CBS Minnesota|date=February 2012|publisher=minnesota.cbslocal.com|access-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref> In February, Rubio and teammate [[Derrick Williams (basketball)|Derrick Williams]] were selected to participate in the 2012 Rising Stars challenge. Rubio was drafted to Team [[Shaquille O'Neal|Shaq]], while Williams was drafted to Team [[Charles Barkley|Chuck]]. Rubio scored 22 points on 19 February 2012 in a win over the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Love's last-second FTs rally Wolves past Sixers|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320219016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220031549/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320219016|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2012|work=ESPN|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=February 19, 2012}}</ref> In a loss to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] on 9 March 2012, Rubio tore his [[Anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] and his [[Fibular collateral ligament|lateral collateral ligament]] defending [[Kobe Bryant]]. He missed the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricky Rubio has torn ACL|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/7669679/minnesota-timberwolves-ricky-rubio-season-torn-acl|work=ESPN|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=March 9, 2012}}</ref><ref name="go">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/7729283/minnesota-timberwolves-expect-ricky-rubio-back-6-9-months|title=Minnesota Timberwolves expect Ricky Rubio back in 6-9 months – ESPN|date=March 23, 2012|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref> Rubio finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, trailing only [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] rookie [[Kyrie Irving]].<ref name="foxsportsnorth">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/05/15/12/Rubio-finishes-second-for-Rookie-of-the-/landing_timberwolves.html?blockID=729400&feedID=3697|title=North {{pipe}} FOX Sports|author=Fox Sports|publisher=foxsportsnorth.com|access-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref> Rubio had averaged 10.6 points, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals in 41 games.

==== 2012–13 season ====
Rubio returned from his injury on 15 December 2012, in an overtime victory over the [[Dallas Mavericks]], playing for 19 minutes and totaling 9 assists and 8 points.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/sports/basketball/nba-roundup.html|title=Return of Ricky Rubio Gives Timberwolves a Boost Over Mavericks - The New York Times|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 16, 2012}}</ref> He then recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on 13 March 2013. Rubio almost recorded his second career triple-double in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on March 30 with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130330/MEMMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Grizzlies 99, Timberwolves 86|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> Then on 13 April, he recorded a then career-high 24 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals in a win over the Phoenix Suns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130413/PHXMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> Rubio finished the [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–13 season]] with averages of 10.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He also finished second in steals per game, behind [[Chris Paul]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2013_leaders.html|title=2012-13 NBA Leaders|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>

==== 2013–14 season ====
On 11 November 2013, Rubio recorded his second career triple-double with 12 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in a 113–90 win over the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20131110/MINLAL/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Timberwolves 113, Lakers 90|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref>

[[File:20140101 Ricky Rubio.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Rubio with the Timberwolves in 2014]]
On 19 February 2014, Rubio recorded a career-high 17 assists, along with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals, in a 104–91 win over the Indiana Pacers. Rubio also tied the Timberwolves' franchise record with his 17 assists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140219/INDMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Timberwolves 104, Pacers 91|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 19 March 2014, Rubio recorded his third career triple-double with 22 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in a 123–122 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140319/MINDAL/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Timberwolves 123, Mavericks 122 (OT)|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 28 March 2014, Rubio tied [[Tyrone Corbin]] for the Wolves season-record in steals at 175 with his one steal in a 143–107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140328/LALMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Notebook: Wolves 143, Lakers 107|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> Two days later, he passed that record when he recorded 2 steals against the Brooklyn Nets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400489968|title=Timberwolves vs. Nets - Game Recap - March 30, 2014 - ESPN}}</ref>

==== 2014–15 season ====
On 31 October 2014, Rubio signed a four-year, $56&nbsp;million contract extension with the Timberwolves.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/wolves-rubio-agree-extension |title=Timberwolves Sign Ricky Rubio to Multi-Year Extension |work=NBA.com|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=October 31, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stein|first=Marc|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11799207/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-agree-contract-extension |title=Rubio, Wolves agree to extension |work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=October 31, 2014}}</ref> On 1 November 2014, he was ruled out indefinitely after he severely sprained his left ankle in the 7 November game loss to the Orlando Magic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11841000/ricky-rubio-minnesota-timberwolves-indefinitely-severe-ankle-sprain|title=Wolves' Ricky Rubio out indefinitely|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=November 9, 2014|access-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref> Rubio returned to action on 2 February 2015 against the Dallas Mavericks, recording 10 points and 4 assists in a 100–94 loss.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150202/MINDAL/gameinfo.html|title=Mavs win 100-94 without Rondo in Rubio's return to Wolves|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 2 March 2015, he recorded his fourth career triple-double with 18 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150302/LACMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Paul has 26 and 14 as Clippers outlast Timberwolves 110-105|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> He later underwent surgery on his ankle in April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zucker|first1=Joseph|title=Ricky Rubio Injury: Updates on Timberwolves Star's Recovery from Ankle Surgery|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311304-ricky-rubio-injury-updates-on-timberwolves-stars-ankle-and-return|access-date=October 14, 2015|website=Bleacher Report|date=April 12, 2015}}</ref>

==== 2015–16 season ====
On 28 October 2015, Rubio scored a then career-high 28 points in a season opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151028/MINLAL/gameinfo.html|title=Wolves edge Lakers 112-111 in first game since Flip's death|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> He later missed four games with a sore left knee, returning to action on 17 November.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151117/MINMIA/gameinfo.html|title=Wiggins scores 24, Wolves hold off Whiteside and Heat 103-91|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 16 December, he recorded a near quadruple-double with 12 assists, 10 rebounds, 9 points and 8 steals in a loss to the New York Knicks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151216/MINNYK/gameinfo.html|title=Knicks hold off Wolves 107-102 behind Anthony, Afflalo|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 30 December, he tied a career high with 17 assists in a 94–80 win over the Utah Jazz. Having recorded 14 assists two nights prior in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Rubio became the first Wolves player with at least 14 assists in consecutive games since [[Terrell Brandon]] did so in April 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151230/UTAMIN/gameinfo.html|title=Towns, Wolves hold off short-handed Jazz, 94-80|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 11 March 2016, Rubio's three-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining lifted the Timberwolves to a 99–96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He finished with 13 points and 12 assists for his eighth double-double of the season, as the Timberwolves snapped a 10-game losing streak against the Thunder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160311/MINOKC/gameinfo.html|title=Rubio's late 3 lifts Timberwolves past Thunder, 99-96|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> On 14 March against the Phoenix Suns, for the fourth time in his career, Rubio had a 17-assist effort.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160314/MINPHX/gameinfo.html|title=Teletovic's 3 with 1.2 seconds left lifts Suns over Wolves|website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref>

==== 2016–17 season ====
On 11 January 2017, in a win over the Houston Rockets, Rubio had a 17-assist effort for the fifth time in his career. Rubio also passed [[Sam Mitchell (basketball)|Sam Mitchell]] to move into fourth place on the team's career games played list with 292.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900003|title=Rockets vs. Timberwolves - Game Recap - January 11, 2017 - ESPN}}</ref> On 30 January 2017, he made a then career-high six three-pointers to lead the Timberwolves to a 111–105 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic. He finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com.au/nba/recap?gameId=400900141|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409105414/http://www.espn.com.au/nba/recap?gameId=400900141|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 April 2017|title=Magic vs. Timberwolves - Game Recap - January 31, 2017 - ESPN}}</ref> On 4 March 2017, he recorded his fifth career triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 97–90 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/recap?gameId=400900320|title=Timberwolves vs. Spurs - Game Recap - March 5, 2017 - ESPN}}</ref> On 13 March 2017, Rubio scored 22 points and broke his own franchise record with 19 assists in a 119–104 win over the Washington Wizards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900390|title=Wizards vs. Timberwolves - Game Recap - March 13, 2017 - ESPN}}</ref> Two days later, he had a season-high 23 points in a 117–104 loss to the Boston Celtics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900401|title=Timberwolves vs. Celtics - Game Recap - March 15, 2017 - ESPN}}</ref> On 30 March 2017, Rubio had a then career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 119–104 win over the Lakers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900518|title=Lakers vs. Timberwolves - Game Recap - March 30, 2017 - ESPN}}</ref>

===Utah Jazz (2017–2019)===
On 30 June 2017, Rubio was traded to the [[Utah Jazz]] in exchange for a 2018 first-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-acquire-ricky-rubio-timberwolves|title=Jazz Acquire Ricky Rubio from Timberwolves|work=NBA.com|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=June 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/jazz/rubio-trade-complete-officially-member-jazz|title=Rubio Trade Complete, Officially a Member of the Jazz|work=NBA.com|date=July 5, 2017|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> On 1 November 2017, Rubio scored a season-high 30 points in a 112–103 overtime win over the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400974866|title=Mitchell has 28 points, Jazz top Trail Blazers 112-103 in OT|work=ESPN.com|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref> On 3 February 2018, he set a new season high with 34 points in a 120–111 win over the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975527|title=Rubio's season-high 34 leads Jazz by Spurs, 120-111|work=ESPN.com|date=February 3, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2018}}</ref> On 11 March 2018, he had 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 116–99 win over the [[New Orleans Pelicans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400975741|title=Rubio, Jazz, spoil Davis triple-double, 116-99|work=ESPN.com|date=March 11, 2018|access-date=March 11, 2018}}</ref> In Game 3 of the Jazz's first-round playoff series against the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], Rubio had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Jazz took a 2–1 lead in the series with a 115–102 win. Rubio's triple-double was the first by a Jazz player in the postseason since [[John Stockton]] in the 2001 playoffs against Dallas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401029445|title=Rubio's triple-double leads Jazz past Thunder 115-102|work=ESPN.com|date=April 21, 2018|access-date=April 21, 2018}}</ref> In Game 6, Rubio suffered a left hamstring injury that rendered him out for the remainder of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/04/27/ricky-rubio-out-game-6-thunder-jazz-nba-playoffs|title=Report: Ricky Rubio Could Miss 10 Days With Hamstring Injury|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=April 27, 2018}}</ref>

===Phoenix Suns (2019–2020)===
On 8 July 2019, Rubio signed with the [[Phoenix Suns]] on a three-year, $51 million contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Suns Sign Ricky Rubio|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-sign-ricky-rubio|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 9, 2019|date=July 8, 2019}}</ref> On 23 October, Rubio put up 11 points and 11 assists in a 124–95 win over the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Suns start slow, then blow past Kings 124-95|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20191023/SACPHX#/recap|first=David|last=Brandt|website=[[NBA.com]] |date=October 24, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> His 11 assists tied [[Elliot Perry]] as the only players to put up a double-double with 11 assists in a Suns debut game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/postgame/suns-defensive-focus-points-turnovers-leads-victory-season-opener|title=Suns Defensive Focus & Points Off Turnovers Leads to Victory in Season Opener|website=NBA.com|first=Cody|last=Cunningham|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> On 16 December, Rubio put up his first triple-double with the Suns with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists in a 111–110 loss to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lillard converts late 3-point play, Blazers top Suns 111-110|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20191216/PORPHX#/recap|first=David|last=Brandt|website=[[NBA.com]] |date=December 17, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2019}}</ref> On 24 February 2020, Rubio put up 22 points, 11 assists, 7 steals, and 6 rebounds in a 131–111 win over his former team, the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Matthew|last=Coles|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20200224/PHXUTA#/recap|title=Rubio leads Suns over Jazz in his return to Utah|website=NBA.com|date=February 24, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> He became the first Suns player to put up at least 20+ points, 10+ assists, and 7+ steals in a game since [[Kevin Johnson (basketball)|Kevin Johnson]] back in 1996.<ref>[https://sportsfinding.com/nba-the-exhibition-of-ricky-rubio-on-his-return-to-utah-nba-2019/21092/ NBA: The exhibition of Ricky Rubio on his return to Utah | NBA 2019]</ref> Rubio recorded his second triple-double with the Suns on 8 March with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 140–131 win over the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Theresa|last=Smith|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20200308/MILPHX#/recap|title=Booker, Rubio help Suns race past Giannis-less Bucks|website=NBA.com|date=March 8, 2020|access-date=March 10, 2020}}</ref>

On 23 June 2020, the Suns reported that two of their own players tested positive for [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Duane|last=Rankin|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2020/06/23/two-phoenix-suns-players-have-tested-positive-coronavirus-sources-say/3240663001/ |title=Two Phoenix Suns players tested positive for COVID-19, sources say|website=AZCentral.com|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> In a 22 July interview, Rubio revealed himself as one of the two players to test positive for the COVID-19 virus.<ref>{{cite web|first=Duane|last=Rankin|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2020/07/22/rubio-back-aron-baynes-not-suns-vets-tested-positive-covid-19/5489420002/ |title=Ricky Rubio back, Aron Baynes not as Phoenix Suns veterans tested positive for COVID-19|website=AZCentral.com|date=July 22, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> However, Rubio would rejoin the team in the [[2020 NBA Bubble]] removed from the virus during the team's scrimmage games for the resumed season, eventually returning on 31 July as a starter in a 125–112 win over the [[Washington Wizards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/games/20200731/PHXWAS/#/recap |title=Booker scores 27 points, Suns beat Wizards 125-112 in return|website=NBA.com|date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref>

===Second stint with Minnesota (2020–2021)===
On 16 November 2020, Rubio was traded to the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] alongside [[Jalen Lecque]], [[Kelly Oubre Jr.]], [[Ty Jerome]], and a 2022 first-round draft pick in a trade for [[Chris Paul]] and [[Abdel Nader]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Thunder Acquires Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio and 2022 First-Round Draft Pick |url=https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/acquisitions-201116 |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Two days later, Rubio and the draft rights to [[Jaden McDaniels]] and [[Leandro Bolmaro]] were traded to the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in exchange for [[James Johnson (basketball, born 1987)|James Johnson]], the draft rights to [[Aleksej Pokuševski]], and Minnesota's 2024 second-round selection.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 20, 2020|title=Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire Ricky Rubio And Draft Rights To Jaden McDaniels From Oklahoma City And Draft Rights To Leandro Bolmaro From New York |url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/minnesota-timberwolves-acquire-ricky-rubio-and-draft-rights-jaden-mcdaniels-oklahoma-city-and|website=NBA.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Cleveland Cavaliers (2021–2024)===
On 3 August 2021, Rubio was traded to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in exchange for [[Taurean Prince]], a 2022 second round pick, and cash considerations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cavaliers Acquire Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/rubio-trade-210803|website=NBA.com|date=3 August 2021|access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref> On 7 November, Rubio scored 37 points and made eight three-pointers, both career highs, alongside 10 assists in a 126–109 win over the [[New York Knicks]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Angelo|last=Guinhawa|title=Lakers star LeBron James' 'insane' reaction to Ricky Rubio's big game for Cavs vs. Knicks|url=https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-insane-reaction-to-ricky-rubio-big-game-for-cavs-vs-knicks/|website=ClutchPoints.com|date=7 November 2021|access-date=7 November 2021}}</ref> On 13 December, Rubio recorded his 5,000th career assist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricky Rubio reaches 5,000 assists in his NBA career|url=https://sportzshala.com/ricky-rubio-reaches-5000-assists-in-his-nba-career/|website=Sportzshala.com|date=14 December 2021|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221023004/https://sportzshala.com/ricky-rubio-reaches-5000-assists-in-his-nba-career/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 28 December, he tore his left ACL during a game between the [[New Orleans Pelicans]], and the next day, it was confirmed to be a season-ending injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cavaliers' Ricky Rubio out for season with torn ACL in left knee|url=https://www.nba.com/news/ricky-rubio-helped-off-court-with-apparent-non-contact-knee-injury|website=NBA.com|date=29 December 2021|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>

On 7 February 2022, Rubio was traded to the [[Indiana Pacers]] along with a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for [[Caris LeVert]] and a 2022 second-round pick.<ref>{{cite web|author=clemgold|title=Cavaliers Acquire Caris LeVert|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/levert-acquisition-220207|website=NBA.com|date=7 February 2022|access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref> Due to his knee injury, he never played a game for the team.

On 8 July 2022, Rubio, still injured, returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-year, $18 million contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers Sign Ricky Rubio, Robin Lopez, and Raul Neto|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-rubio-lopez-neto-signings-220708|website=NBA.com|date=8 July 2022|access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref>

On 12 January 2023, Rubio made his return from injury, putting up nine points in ten minutes in his season debut, in a 119–113 win over the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricky Rubio returns from ACL surgery in Cavaliers' win over Blazers|url=https://www.nba.com/news/ricky-rubio-returns-from-acl-surgery-in-cavaliers-win-over-blazers|website=NBA.com|date=12 January 2023|access-date=12 January 2023}}</ref>

On 5 August 2023, Rubio decided to pause his career so he could focus on his mental health.<ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Windhorst|title=Cavs PG Ricky Rubio to pause career, focus on mental health|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38138955/cavs-pg-ricky-rubio-pause-career-focus-mental-health|website=ESPN.com|date=5 August 2023|access-date=5 August 2023}}</ref>

On 4 January 2024, Rubio and the Cavaliers agreed to a contract buyout.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cavaliers Reach Buyout Agreement with Ricky Rubio|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-ricky-rubio-240104|website=NBA.com|date=4 January 2024|access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> Later that same day, Rubio announced his retirement from the NBA on social media.<ref>{{cite web|first=Evan|last=Dammarell|title=The Cavs' next move they have to make after buying out Ricky Rubio|url=https://clutchpoints.com/the-cavs-next-move-they-have-to-make-after-buying-out-ricky-rubio|website=ClutchPoints.com|date=4 January 2024|access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>

===Return to Barcelona (2024)===
On 6 February 2024, Rubio signed with [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona]] for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acuerdo para la incorporación de Ricky Rubio|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/baloncesto/primer-equipo/noticias/3883983/acuerdo-para-la-incorporacion-de-ricky-rubio|website=FCBarcelona.com|date=6 February 2024|access-date=6 February 2024|language=Spanish}}</ref>

==National team career==
===Junior national team===
In August 2006, Rubio led the rising junior Spain national team to the [[FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship]]. During the tournament Rubio achieved two [[triple-double]]s and a [[quadruple-double]]. In the 110–106 double overtime finale victory over Russia, Rubio scored 51 points, the first player to do so in [[FIBA]] junior tournaments since [[Luol Deng]] (in 2001), grabbed 24 rebounds, made 12 assists, and stole the ball 7 times. He also forced the first overtime with a three-point, buzzer-beating shot from mid-court. Rubio was then named the [[Most Valuable Player]] of the tournament after leading it in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

===Senior national team===
The young Spaniard competed internationally with the senior [[Spain men's national basketball team|Spain National Team]] at the [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Beijing Summer Olympics]]. The team included current and former NBA players such as [[Pau Gasol]], [[José Calderón (basketball)|José Calderón]], [[Rudy Fernández (basketball)|Rudy Fernández]], [[Marc Gasol]], [[Raül López (basketball)|Raúl López]], [[Jorge Garbajosa]], and [[Juan Carlos Navarro (basketball)|Juan Carlos Navarro]].

He played in the 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament's gold medal game against the [[United States men's national basketball team|USA's]] [[2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team|"Redeem Team"]], and at 17 became the youngest player in an Olympic basketball final. The team took the silver medal after a loss at the gold, 118–107. The team continued international play at the [[2009 EuroBasket]] in Poland, where Spain defeated [[Serbian national basketball team|Serbia]] for the gold medal, 85–63. Rubio's contribution averaged 22.7 minutes, 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Rubio led Spain to a gold medal in the [[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup]] in China. They beat Argentina in the [[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Final|final]], 95–75.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/news/spain-recapture-fiba-basketball-world-cup-title-in-china|title=Spain recapture FIBA Basketball World Cup title in China|work=FIBA.basketball|access-date=September 17, 2019}}</ref> Rubio was chosen as one of the FIBA World Cup All-Star Five alongside Serbian's [[Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)|Bogdan Bogdanovic]], France's [[Evan Fournier]], Spain's [[Marc Gasol]], and Argentina's [[Luis Scola]]. He was also named the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player|World Cup MVP]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fibawc/935212/mvp-ricky-rubio-headlines-fiba-world-cup-all-star-five/|title=MVP Ricky Rubio headlines FIBA World Cup All-Star five|date=September 15, 2019|work=Eurohoops|access-date=September 17, 2019}}</ref> Rubio was named the [[Spanish Sportsman of the Year]], in 2019.

In the [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Quarterfinals|Tokyo 2020 Olympics]] he broke the record for most points scored against Team USA with 38 points. The previous record was 35 points by [[Butch Lee]] in the [[Basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics|1976 Montreal Olympics]].{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Player profile==
[[File:RickyRubio1.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Rubio playing in Spain]]
Rubio was regarded by some as the best European guard prospect ever.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Wolff|first=Alexander|date=August 16, 2008|title=Hard to compare this 17-year-old|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/2008/writers/alexander_wolff/08/16/usa.spain/}}</ref> Rubio has been compared by some to [[Pete Maravich]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Next Pistol Pete|url=http://www.nbadraft.net/2006u16championships001.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111052938/http://www.nbadraft.net/2006u16championships001.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=January 11, 2007|access-date=August 14, 2006|work=NBADraft.net}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In May 2016, Rubio's mother Tona Vives died at the age of 56. He has a sister named Laia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/05/25/ricky-rubios-mother-dies-at-56/|title=Ricky Rubio's mother dies at 56|date=May 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/ricky-rubios-father-esteve-rubio-and-sister-laia-rubio-news-photo/540138216|title=Ricky Rubio's father Esteve Rubio and sister Laia Rubio attend the|date=13 June 2016 }}</ref> On 14 January 2020, Rubio's wife Sara gave birth to their son.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2020/01/16/ricky-rubio-rejoins-phoenix-suns-proud-papi-after-birth-baby-boy/4492086002/|title=Ricky Rubio rejoins Phoenix Suns in NYC as new dad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1541190/2020/01/17/its-the-best-thing-that-ever-happened-to-me-new-father-ricky-rubios-whirlwind-week-goes-deeper-than-basketball/|title = 'It's the best thing that ever happened to me': New father Ricky Rubio's whirlwind week goes deeper than basketball | last1=Mizell | first1=Gina }}</ref>

==Awards and accomplishments==
===Joventut===
*[[Spanish Basketball King's Cup|Spanish King's Cup]]: [[Copa del Rey de Baloncesto 2007–08|2008]]
*[[FIBA EuroChallenge]]: [[EuroCup 2005–06|2006]]
*[[EuroCup Basketball|ULEB Cup]]: [[ULEB Cup 2007–08|2008]]
*[[Catalan basketball league|Catalan League]]: 2005, 2007, 2008

===FC Barcelona Basquet===
*[[Liga ACB]]: [[2010–11 ACB season|2010–11]]
*[[Spanish Basketball King's Cup|Spanish King's Cup]]: [[Copa del Rey de Baloncesto 2009–10|2010]], [[Copa del Rey de Baloncesto 2010–11|2011]]
*[[EuroLeague]]: [[2009–10 Euroleague|2010]]
*[[Spanish Basketball Super Cup|Spanish Supercup]]: [[Supercopa de España de Baloncesto 2009|2009]], [[Supercopa de España de Baloncesto 2010|2010]]
*[[Catalan basketball league|Catalan League]]: 2009, 2010

===Spain junior national team===
*[[2005 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship]]: {{bronze medal}}
*[[2006 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship]]: {{gold medal}}

===Spain senior national team===
*[[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Summer Olympics]]: {{silver medal}}
*[[2009 EuroBasket]]: {{gold medal}}
*[[2011 EuroBasket]]: {{gold medal}}
*[[2013 EuroBasket]]: {{bronze medal}}
*[[Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2016 Summer Olympics]]: {{bronze medal}}
*[[2017 EuroBasket]]: {{bronze medal}}
*[[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2019 World Cup]] : {{gold medal}}

===Personal awards===
*[[Most valuable player|MVP]] of the [[2006 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship]]: he averaged 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 6.5 steals. In the final, accumulated 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and 7 steals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/olympic/2008-08/14/content_16222047.htm|title=Promising 'Ricky' Rubio way far to be great -- china.org.cn|website=www.china.org.cn}}</ref>
*2× led the [[Liga ACB]] in [[Steal (basketball)|steals]]: (2007, 2009)
*Won the Spanish ACB League [[ACB Rising Star Award|Rising Star Award]]: (2007)
*3× [[FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award|FIBA European Young Player of the Year]]: (2007, 2008, 2009)
*2× [[All-Spanish ACB League Team]]: (2008, 2010)
*[[Mister Europa Player of the Year]]: (2008)
*Spanish ACB League Defensive Player of the Year: (2009)
*Catalan League [[Most valuable player|MVP]]: (2009)
*[[EuroLeague Rising Star]]: (2010)
*[[ACB Most Spectacular Player]]: (2010)
*2× [[NBA Rookie of the Month Award|NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month]]: (December 2011, January 2012)
*[[NBA All-Rookie First Team]]: (2012)
*[[FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team|FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team]]: ([[2019 FIBA World Cup|2019]])
*[[FIBA Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player|FIBA World Cup MVP]]: ([[2019 FIBA World Cup|2019]])
*[[Spanish Sportsman of the Year]]: (2019)
*[[FIBA Summer Olympics All-Star Five]]: ([[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2020]])

==Career statistics==
{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

===NBA===
====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2011}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2011–12 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 41 || 31 || '''34.2''' || .357 || .340 || .803 || 4.2 || 8.2 || 2.2 || '''.2''' || 10.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2012}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2012–13 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 57 || 47 || 29.7 || .360 || .293 || .799 || 4.0 || 7.3 || '''2.4''' || .1 || 10.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2013}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013–14 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 32.2 || .381 || .331 || .802 || 4.2 || 8.6 || 2.3 || .1 || 9.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014–15 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 22 || 22 || 31.5 || .356 || .255 || .803 || '''5.7''' || 8.8 || 1.7 || .0 || 10.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2015–16 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 76 || 76 || 30.6 || .374 || .326 || .847 || 4.3 || 8.7 || 2.1 || .1 || 10.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2016–17 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 75 || 75 || 32.9 || .402 || .306 || '''.891''' || 4.3 || '''9.1''' || 1.7 || .1 || 11.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2017}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017–18 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 77 || 77 || 29.3 || '''.418''' || '''.352''' || .866 || 4.6 || 5.3 || 1.6 || .1 || '''13.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2018}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018–19 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 68 || 67 || 27.9 || .404 || .311 || .855 || 3.6 || 6.1 || 1.3 || .1 || 12.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2019}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2019–20 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| 57 || 57 || 31.6 || .412 || .351 || .853 || 4.6 || 8.9 || 1.5 || '''.2''' || 13.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2020}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2020–21 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 68 || 51 || 26.1 || .388 || .308 || .867 || 3.3 || 6.4 || 1.4 || .1 || 8.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2021–22 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]]
| 34 || 8 || 28.5 || .363 || .339 || .854 || 4.1 || 6.6 || 1.4 || '''.2''' || '''13.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022–23 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]]
| 33 || 2 || 17.2 || .343 || .256 || .800 || 2.1 || 3.5 || .8 || '''.2''' || 5.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 698 || 603 || 29.6 || .388 || .324 || .843 || 4.1 || 7.4 || 1.8 || .1 || 10.8
{{S-end}}

====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018 NBA playoffs|2018]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2017–18 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''6''' || '''6''' || 30.2 || .354 || '''.313''' || .783 || '''7.3''' || 7.0 || 1.3 || '''.5''' || 14.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2019 NBA playoffs|2019]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2018–19 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || '''33.5''' || '''.424''' || .200 || '''.850''' || 3.2 || '''8.6''' || '''2.4''' || .2 || '''15.4'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2023 NBA playoffs|2023]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2022–23 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]]
| 3 || 0 || 5.7 || .000 || {{sort|-|–}} || {{sort|-|–}} || 2.0 || 1.0 || .3 || {{sort|-|—}} || 0.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 14 || 11 || 26.1 || .384 || .269 || .814 || 4.7 || 6.3 || 1.5 || .3 || 11.5
{{S-end}}

===EuroLeague===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#AFE6BA; width:3em;"|†
|Denotes season in which Rubio won the [[EuroLeague champion|EuroLeague]]
|-
| style="background:#CFECEC; width:1em"|*
| Led the league
|}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Euroleague|2006–07]]
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| [[Joventut Badalona]]
| 16 || 0 || 18.9 || .348 || .167 || .767 || 2.4 || 2.8 || style="background:#CFECEC;"|'''3.2'''* || '''.1''' || 3.6 || 7.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 Euroleague|2008–09]]
| 5 || 2 || 13.3 || .300 || .333 || .625 || 2.4 || 2.8 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.4 || 6.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#AFE6BA;"| [[2009–10 Euroleague|2009–10]]†
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| [[FC Barcelona Basquet|Barcelona]]
| style="background:#CFECEC;"|'''22'''* || style="background:#CFECEC;"|'''22'''* || 20.9 || '''.370''' || '''.358''' || '''.893''' || 2.9 || 4.1 || 1.4 || .0 || '''6.8''' || '''10.7'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010–11 Euroleague|2010–11]]
| 20 || 17 || '''22.7''' || .310 || .224 || .836 || '''3.3''' || 3.5 || 1.6 || '''.1''' || 6.5 || 9.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2023–24 EuroLeague|2023–24]]
| 13 || 3 || 17.2 || .274 || .182 || .852 || 3.2 || '''4.3''' || 1.4 || {{sort|-|—}} || 4.7 || 8.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 76 || 44 || 19.8 || .328 || .262 || .835 || 2.9 || 3.6 || 1.9 || .0 || 5.4 || 9.0
{{S-end}}

===EuroCup===
{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007–08 ULEB Cup|2007–08]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Joventut Badalona]]
| 16 || 10 || 20.9 || .531 || .360 || .771 || 3.4 || 4.5 || 2.4 || .1 || 7.6 || 12.9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 16 || 10 || 20.9 || .531 || .360 || .771 || 3.4 || 4.5 || 2.4 || .1 || 7.6 || 12.9
{{S-end}}

===Domestic leagues===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! Year
! Team
! League
! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}
! {{Tooltip|MPG|Minutes per game}}
! {{Tooltip|FG%|Field goal percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|3P%|3-point field-goal percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|FT%|Free-throw percentage}}
! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}
! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}
! {{Tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}}
! {{Tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}}
! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2005–06 ACB season|2005–06]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[Joventut Badalona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 14 || 7.8 || .474 || .667 || .700 || 1.1 || .7 || 1.0 || .1 || 2.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 ACB season|2006–07]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[Joventut Badalona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 43 || 19.2 || .382 || .258 || .691 || 2.6 || 2.1 || 1.9 || .0 || 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007–08 ACB season|2007–08]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[Joventut Badalona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 39 || 23.2 || .363 || .265 || .794 || 3.3 || 3.9 || 2.0 || .3 || 10.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 ACB season|2008–09]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[Joventut Badalona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 25 || 22.7 || .400 || .417 || .806 || 2.7 || 5.8 || 2.2 || .3 || 9.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009–10 ACB season|2009–10]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|Barcelona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 42 || 20.4 || .404 || .366 || .767 || 2.7 || 4.3 || 1.9 || .2 || 6.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010–11 ACB season|2010–11]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|Barcelona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 42 || 21.7 || .320 || .268 || .779 || 3.2 || 3.9 || 1.6 || .1 || 4.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2023–24 ACB season|2023–24]] || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|Barcelona]] || style="text-align:center;"|[[Liga ACB|ACB]] || 15 || 18.4 || .377 || .292 || .886 || 3.1 || 4.1 || 1.1 || .1 || 6.0
{{S-end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports}}
*[[List of European basketball players in the United States]]
*[[List of youngest EuroLeague players since the 2000–01 season|List of youngest EuroLeague players]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{basketballstats|nba=201937|bbr=r/rubiori01}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160730091418/http://www.rickyrubio9.com/web/en/ Rubio's official website]
*[http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=LFW Ricky Rubio] at euroleague.net
*[http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=BA5 Ricky Rubio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301073106/http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=BA5 |date=1 March 2012 }} at acb.com <small>{{in lang|es}}</small>
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160117060211/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fwcm/player/p/pid/53827/rid//sid/4728/tid/362/profile.html Ricky Rubio] at fiba.com

{{Navboxes|title=Spain squads|bg=#DB000D|fg=#FBEA0E|bordercolor=#000000|list1=
{{Spain Squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{Spain Squad EuroBasket 2009}}
{{Spain Squad EuroBasket 2011}}
{{Spain Squad EuroBasket 2013}}
{{Spain Men Basketball Squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Spain Squad EuroBasket 2017}}
{{Spain Squad 2019 FIBA World Cup}}
}}
{{navboxes|list=
{{FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship MVP Award}}
{{FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year}}
{{Mr. Europa}}
{{ACB Most Spectacular Player}}
{{ACB Rising Star Award}}
{{Euroleague Rising Star Award}}
{{FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP Award}}
{{Joventut Badalona 2005–06 FIBA EuroCup champions}}
{{Joventut Badalona 2007–08 ULEB Cup champions}}
{{FC Barcelona Bàsquet 2009–10 Euroleague champions}}
{{2009 NBA draft}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rubio, Ricky}}
[[Category:1990 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2010 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]
[[Category:2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
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[[Category:Basketball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Catalonia]]
[[Category:Cleveland Cavaliers players]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona Bàsquet players]]
[[Category:FIBA Basketball World Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:FIBA EuroBasket–winning players]]
[[Category:Joventut Badalona players]]
[[Category:Liga ACB players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Minnesota Timberwolves draft picks]]
[[Category:Minnesota Timberwolves players]]
[[Category:NBA players from Spain]]
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[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Spain]]
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[[Category:People from El Masnou]]
[[Category:Phoenix Suns players]]
[[Category:Point guards]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate basketball people in the United States]]
[[Category:Spanish men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball players from the Province of Barcelona]]
[[Category:Utah Jazz players]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen]]
[[Category:Child sportspeople]]