Congratulations! Rubio has signed with his mother team! Publicly criticizing the NBA business scene

According to Eurohoops,Rubio is returning to JuventutIn the 05-06 season, at the age of 17, Rubio officially started his professional career, and Juventut was his first team. Before signing this summer, he had already played for the team for four seasons.

Rubio, a Spaniard, is now 34 years old, was the 5th overall pick in the 2009 draft, entered the NBA in 2011, announced his retirement from the NBA in 2024, averaging 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.8 steals in the regular season, and 11.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.5 steals in the playoffs. He was also selected to the All-Rookie First Team in the 11-12 season.

Despite Rubio's 13-year NBA career and earning $130 million during that time, he does not have a fondness for the league and has previously publicly criticizedthe NBA as a show and a business.

It is worth mentioning that during his time with the Cavaliers in 2023, Rubio faced mental health issues that led him to pause his basketball activities, raising widespread concern. Had it not been for these issues, he would likely still be an active NBA player, especially since as a playmaking guard in his early 30s, he remains quite valuable.

Although Rubio's NBA career seems somewhat unremarkable, he has certainly shone on the FIBA stage, having scored a staggering 51 points, 24 rebounds, and 12 assists in a single game during the U16 European Championship final in 2006. In 2008, at just 18 years old, he competed in the Beijing Olympics with the Spanish national team, unfortunately finishing as runners-up to the USA in the finals.

However, 11 years after the Beijing Olympics, at the 2019 World Cup, also held in China, the matured Rubio led the Spanish national team to victory, averaging 16.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, including 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in the final, with shooting percentages of 44% and 39%, earning him the title of World Cup MVP.

By returning to his mother team Juventut, Rubio has achieved a sense of coming full circle in his player career, and he may be approaching his final performance. As mentioned, he has faced mental health issues, including depression and even thoughts of self-harm. In short, he may no longer be suited for a long-term presence in the spotlight of professional sports.

What more can be said? Wishing Rubio good luck on his upcoming journey and hoping he can find his former self again soon!