After a long and eventful career, Ricky Rubio is finally calling it a career. The Spanish point guard, who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, announced his retirement just this month after being bought out. Rubio, who’s been incredibly popular during the course of his career, ends his career as one of the most prolific guards of his era.
Rubio has been with a lot of teams during the course of his career. One of his most successful stops was with the Phoenix Suns. Though he was only there for a season, the Cavs guard is credited heavily in the development of Devin Booker. Speaking after their game, Booker had nothing but nice words for his former teammate, per Gerald Bourguet.
Suns’ Devin Booker: “I can be up here all day… Even though it was just one year, he (Cavs PG Ricky Rubio) was so impactful for my career. His veteran leadership, his IQ, his approach. He’s somebody who will always check in on you, whether he was on the team or even when he left too.”
Booker had more to say about his former teammate. This, frankly, speaks volumes about the character of the Cavs point guard, and why Rubio was such a coveted player by many teams in his career.
“An amazing career, somebody who we’ve all been following since he was 15-16 years old in Spain, he’s gained respect from everybody over here. Great career, I wish he played longer but everybody makes their decision. I’ll miss him on the floor, but he’s a friend forever”
Before Rubio became a member of the Suns, Booker was criticized as a shot-chucker, an “empty stats” player. However, when the now-Cavs PG joined Phoenix, it allowed Booker to thrive off the ball. That, eventually, led to him developing into a much better playmaker ironically, and he’s now a key piece in many championship contenders.
Rubio officially hung up his sneakers in 2024. While the Cavs PG never won an NBA ring, Rubio has earned many accolades as part of Spain’s national team. Rubio’s highlight-reel passes and locker room leadership will sorely be missed in the NBA.