Reports: Ricky Rubio making return to Barcelona

Field Level Media|published: Tue 6th February, 11:28 2024

Mar 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio (13) shoots over Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. credits: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Rubio signed a deal with FC Barcelona until the end of the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The 33-year-old point guard announced his retirement from the NBA last month after 12 seasons in the league.

Rubio and the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a contract buyout in early January. He stepped away from the franchise in August to concentrate on his mental health.

Rubio missed most of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons recovering from a torn ACL.

The Spanish star joined Cleveland in a February 2022 trade and appeared in 67 games (10 starts) for the Cavaliers, averaging 9.2 points, 5.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds.

Rubio's NBA career averages include 10.8 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 698 games (603 starts) for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2011-17, 2020-21), Utah Jazz (2017-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-20) and Cavaliers.

Rubio previously played for Barcelona from 2009-11, helping the team win a EuroLeague championship in 2010 and a Liga ACB championship in 2011.

He has won two Olympic medals with Spain — a silver in Beijing in 2008 and a bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

—Field Level Media