Remember Rubio
Tagged in: BBNZ News, U19 World Champs
Ricky Rubio … remember that name.
One of the expected stars of next year’s FIBA U19 Basketball World Championships in Auckland is already cutting his teeth at the Olympics.
The 17-year-old phenom made his official senior international debut for the world champion Spanish national team on Sunday at the Beijing Olympics, coming off the bench in an 81-66 win over Greece in group B.
“I haven’t seen too much of him, but just talking to one of the Spanish coaches on the bus, he thought he’s the best under-20 player in the world,” said Junior Tall Blacks coach Kenny McFadden, currently at the adidas Nations basketball event in Dallas, Texas.
“A couple of years ago, he lead the Euroleague in steals, which is a huge accomplishment if you’re a senior player, let alone a 16-year-old. He’s six-foot-five and he’s got all the tools.”
If he attends, Rubio is expected to star at the FIBA U19 tournament, which will include the Junior Tall Blacks, in Auckland from July 2-12. Preparing for the Olympics with the Spanish senior team, he missed the European Junior Championships this year, but his team managed to grab the fifth and final qualifying spot without him.
Against Greece, Spanish coach Aito Garcia called on Rubio in the third quarter after Spain went up 50-31. He hit his first shot and finished with seven points (2/4 FG), a rebound, assist and block in 13 minutes.
In his first three games, the kid has averaged 15.7 minutes, 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals, where he ranks fourth for the tournament.
“He has a very good brain for his age,” said Garcia after that opening game. “He has played well in preparations and today was so-so.
“It’s not every time the players are going to play perfect. Every game, there is a need for improvement.”
Rubio, who was described as a freak of nature by former Argentinian guard Pepe Sanchez, made his Spanish league debut at 14 and had his first Euroleague start at 16 for Joventut Badalona, the 2007-08 Uleb Cup champions.
He is regarded as the best European guard prospect since Croatian legend Drazen Petrovic, draws comparisons to former NBA great Pete Maravich for his creativity and basketball IQ and is expected to be a top-three selection in the 2009 NBA Draft.
In 2006, Rubio led Spain to the FIBA Europe U16 Championship 110-106 in overtime over Russia. He was named tournament MVP after posting two triple-doubles and a quadruple-double, scoring 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and seven steals in the final, including a half-court shot to send the game into OT.
