Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ricky Rubio will not be playing for the Spanish national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He recently released a statement saying he’s dropping out in order to focus on his mental health, per the Spanish Basketball Federation’s official website:
“I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health. I want to thank all the support I have received from the FEB to understand my decision. Today #LaFamilia makes more sense than ever. Thank you. I would ask that my privacy be respected so that I can face these moments and be able to give more information when the time is right.”
Ricky Rubio, 32, has played for four different teams in his 12 years in the NBA and two as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. He averaged 5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game across 33 appearances with the Cavaliers during the 2022-23 regular season (two starts).
The 6’2″ point guard really struggled to score the ball efficiently from the field in the 2022-23 regular season — Rubio’s 34.3% field-goal percentage was the lowest of his entire pro career.
Rubio had a much better season the season before, the 2021-22 season. He averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 assists per game with the Cavs during the regular season and shot a respectable 33.9% from behind the three-point arc.
Here’s to hoping that the break from basketball will help Ricky Rubio mentally and that he’ll enter the 2023-24 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers ready to improve upon his numbers from the 2022-23 campaign.