Ricky Rubio

An early entry candidate for the 2009 NBA Draft.

Career Highlights:

Has played his entire career with DKV Joventut Badalona, a member of the Spanish ACB. Won FIBA Europe's Young Player of the Year award in 2007 and 2008, honoring him as the top player in Europe under the age of 22. Selected ACB Ideal Quintet (first team all-league) in 2007-08 at 17 years old. Became the youngest player to ever compete in an ACB game (14 years, 11 months and 24 days). Led the Euroleague in steals per game in 2006-07 while playing less than 19 minute per game. A member of the Spanish National Team, competing in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Earned MVP of the 2006 U-16 European Championship after scoring 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and seven steals in the title game vs. Russia.

2008-09:

Averaged 10.0 points, 2.6 rebounds 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals in 22.2 minutes over his first 22 ACB appearances of the season. Named ACB Defensive Player of the Year. Underwent surgery to repair a fracture ligament in his right wrist in October and missed the initial 10 games of the ACB season and five games of the Euroleague campaign. Injury occurred in the Olympic gold medal game vs. the U.S. Top performances in ACB play included: 12 assists in 21 minutes vs. CB Murcia; 18 points and five assists vs. Granada; 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists vs. Real Madrid; nine points, eight rebounds, 11 assists vs. Kalise G.C.; 13 points, seven assists and six steals vs. Pamesa Valencia; and 17 points and six assists vs. Bruesa.

2008 Olympics:

Helped Spain to a silver medal finish, losing to the U.S., 118-107, in the title game. Had six points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the contest. Averaged 4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 18.3 minutes over eight tournament games. Finished sixth in the competition in steals (2.1 spg).

2007-08:

In 39 ACB games, recorded averages of 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals in 23.2 minutes. Selected ACB Ideal Quintet. Began the season with a string of 11 consecutive double-figure scoring games. Tallied a personal ACB season-high 25 points vs. Girona. Had 18 points and nine assists vs. Bilbao Basket. In 16 ULEB Cup games, averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.4 steals in 20.6 minutes. Helped his team to a league title. .

2006-07:

Averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 19.2 minutes over 43 ACB contests, including 10 playoff games. Contributed a season-high 12 points in 19 minutes vs. Gran Canaria. Posted 10 points along with four assists in 17 minutes vs. Girona. In 16 Euroleague appearances, posted 3.6 points, 2.4. rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.2 steals in 18.5 minutes. Led the Euroleague in steals per game. Had seven steals on three occasions, including a game vs. Panathinaikos in which he also notched a season-best seven assists.

2006 U-16 European Championship:

Averaged 23.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 6.5 steals over eight games in leading Spain’s under-18 team to the gold medal. Earned tournament MVP honors after recording his third triple-double of the competition by tallying 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and seven steals in a double-overtime 110-106 win over Russia in the title game.

Strengths: Processes the game a step ahead of everybody else. Anticipation makes him a prolific distributor and ball thief. Sets up his teammates for easy baskets by leading them to the ball. Creates his own angles to open up passing lanes. Superb ball-handler.

Personal: Brother, Marc, plays professionally in Spain for CB Prat Juventud in the LEB, and has experience playing for DKV in ACB competition.