Ricky Rubio of the Cleveland Cavaliers introduced Saturday that he’s taking a break from basketball to concentrate on his psychological well being, a transfer that comes as his Spanish nationwide workforce prepares to defend its title on the FIBA World Cup that begins later this month.
Rubio was the MVP of the latest World Cup 4 years in the past, main Spain to the championship and an 8-0 document within the match. The veteran level guard was additionally anticipated to be a part of Spain’s workforce that can look to defend that crown within the World Cup that begins Aug. 25 within the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
“I’ve determined to cease my skilled exercise to handle my psychological well being,” Rubio stated in an announcement distributed by the Spanish Basketball Federation, or FEB. “I need to thank all of the help I’ve obtained from the FEB to grasp my choice. In the present day #LaFamilia makes extra sense than ever. Thanks.”
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Rubio additionally requested that his “privateness be revered in order that I can face these moments and be capable of give extra info when the time comes.” He left the Spanish workforce camp earlier within the week and didn’t play within the workforce’s 87-57 exhibition win over Venezuela on Friday in Madrid.
The Spanish workforce will play a pair of video games in Malaga, Spain subsequent weekend, together with an Aug. 13 matchup towards USA Basketball — which is ranked No. 2 within the FIBA world rankings, behind the reigning World Cup champions. The video games in Malaga are a part of Spain celebrating its federation’s one hundredth birthday.
The 32-year-old Rubio is the oldest and, when it comes to NBA years, probably the most skilled participant on Cleveland’s roster. He has performed within the league for 12 seasons, showing with Minnesota, Utah, Phoenix and the Cavaliers.
He missed nearly all of the previous two seasons whereas recovering from a torn left ACL, and returned to the Cavs primarily as a reserve for 33 video games on the finish of this previous season.
The Spanish federation stated it “needs to specific its respect, admiration and affection for Ricky Rubio. #LaFamilia will probably be by the participant’s facet always.”
Rubio has averaged 10.8 factors and seven.4 assists in his NBA profession. He had a team-high 20 factors in Spain’s 2019 World Cup last win over Argentina.