Ricky Rubio is a Spanish basketball professional who dons the Cleveland Cavaliers’ jersey at the NBA.
Considered as one of the best European guard prospects of all time, Rubio is often compared to the American basketball star Pete Maravich.
Having said that, Rubio failed to show his flair on the court last Tuesday against the Pelicans. We will talk about it in detail right below, so keep reading.
This article will also cover some important details about the NBA celebrity—those ranging from his professional career to his family and net worth.
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the quick facts.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Ricard Rubio Vives |
| Known As | Ricky Rubio, Chicho Terremoto, La Pistola |
| Birth Date | October 21, 1990 |
| Birth Place | El Masnou, Spain |
| Father’s Name | Esteve Rubio |
| Mother’s Name | Tona Vives |
| Siblings | Marc Rubio, Laia Rubio |
| High School | Not Available |
| College | Not Available |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Zodiac Sign | Not Available |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Current Team | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Draft | 2009 NBA Draft (Round 1 – 5th pick) |
| Active Years | 2005-present |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Sara Rubio |
| Children | Liam (Son) |
| Net Worth | $8 million |
| Social Media | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Youth Jersey, Basketball Card |
| Last Update | November, 2023 |
Rubio’s Tragic Season End
The Cavaliers fans were hit with news concerning the injury of their star point guard, Ricky Rubio.
Reports suggest that he tore his left ACL on December 28. It happened during the game between New Orleans Pelicans.
The next day, NBA confirmed that the injury would be season-ending for Rubio. Despite the injury, he had put off an outstanding performance in the game. As a matter of fact, he scored 27 points, took 13 rebounds, and made nine assists.
However, he fell to the court and grabbed his knee when there were just three minutes left in the game.
Rubio has been a superstar for the Cavaliers over a short period of time.
He has been one of the key factors for the great 2021-2022 season of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The injury has, however, already affected Rubio’s net worth.
One assist shy of a triple-double
Even after the slip, neither the Cavaliers nor their coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, was aware of the severity of the injury.
However, their fear turned into a nightmare once the MRI was revealed. It seems the point guard tore the same ACL he once tore back in 2012.
With this injury and their loss to the Pelicans, Rubio has officially ended his season.
Likewise, the Spanish athlete has averaged 12.7 points and 6.5 assists this season. Not to mention, he was just one assist shy from making it a triple-double on Tuesday night.
Early Life
Ricard Rubio Vives, famously known as Ricky Rubio, is a Spanish basketball professional. Currently, he plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
La Pistola was into high-level basketball from the early age of 14. It was the same time he starred in the Spanish ACB League and became the youngest player to star in a Spanish ACB League.
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In addition, Rubio made his EuroLeague debut at 16. Eventually, he became the fifth-youngest player since 2000 to make a debut in the league.
Professional Career
Rubio kick-started his career in the Spanish ACB League in the 2005-2006 season with Joventut Badalona. Moreover, he was the youngest player to debut in the ACB league.
What’s impressive is that he achieved this feat at the age of 14 years and 11 months! The same year, Rubio also won the FIBA EuroChallenge Championship with Joventut.
In 2006, he made his EuroLeague debut against Panathinaikos of Athens. And he eventually became the fifth-youngest player in the EuroLeague at that time.
At Joventut
Rubio, at Joventut, averaged 2.8 assists per game in the first season of his EuroLeague. Further, he bagged the EuroCup Championship with Joventut in 2008.
He was voted the Spanish ACB League’s Best Point Guard during the same year and later achieved this again in 2010.
Moreover, in FC Barcelona, he won the 2009-2010 EuroLeague. Then in 2009, Rubio declared himself eligible for the NBA draft.
At Minnesota Timberwolves
Ricky was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Furthermore, Rubio became the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted in the NBA with this selection.
Overall, Rubio spent six seasons at Timberwolves from 2011-2017. Ricky was then traded to Utah Jazz in 2017.
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Trade & New Teams
In 2021, Rubio was traded to the Cavaliers in exchange for Taurean Prince. In November of the same year, Rubio scored 37 points and eight three-pointers in a career-high.
The Spanish basketball star is famously known for his assists. In December, he recorded his 5000th career assist.
National Career
At Junior National Team
Rubio led the rising junior Spain National team in 2006. He led the team to the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship.
In the final victory over Russia, Rubio scored 51 points. And he consequently became the first player to do so in the FIBA Junior Tournament since 2001.
He gave a scintillating performance, having made 12 assists and grabbed 24 rebounds besides just scoring 51 points.
Rubio reaped the rewards for his performances as he was named the tournament’s MVP (Most Valuable Player). He made several rebounds, and assists and scored numerous points.
At Senior National Team
Rubio also donned the team jersey of the senior Spain National Team. He competed in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. More importantly, his team is comprised of current as well as former NBA players. These included players such as Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol.
Rubio played in the Olympics Basketball Tournament’s gold medal game in 2008. Subsequently, he became the youngest player to feature in an Olympic basketball final.
Although the team couldn’t grab the gold medal, Rubio’s performances were eye-catching for all basketball fans across the globe.
He continued to play at the 2009 EuroBasket in Poland. Rubio averaged 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 22.7 minutes per game.
The now NBA star led his national team to a gold medal in China’s 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Personal Life, Wife & Family
The Spanish point guard, Ricky Rubio, is married to Sara. Not only that, but together, they also have a son named Liam.
Rubio’s father’s name is Esteve Rubio, and his mother’s name is Tona Vives. Sadly, his mother, Tona, died at 56 in 2016. Other than them, he also has a sibling named Laia.
In 2008, Rubio’s parents decided not to make Rubio available for interviews until his 18th birthday.
Rubio revealed, in 2020, that the dreaded coronavirus had infected him just before playing basketball in the Orlando bubble.
Net Worth
According to Wealthy Gorilla, the Spanish professional had a whopping net worth of $8 million in 2021. However, this sum was affected by his injury.
His salary was $17.8 million with the Cavaliers for the 2021-2022 season. Well, his earnings over the years have helped him live a luxurious life.
It is estimated that his contract earnings over the years in the NBA amount to more than $120 million.
Contract
Various media outlets reported that Rubio had a buyout clause in his contract with Joventut worth $6.6 million – $8.2 million.
According to ESPN, Rubio’s original buyout with Joventut was $8.1 million. The amount in the contract was the same for 2010 too.
Moreover, Rubio was the 5th overall pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA draft.
Rubio signed a four-year contract worth $56 million (contract extension) with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Spanish had signed a three-year $51 million contract with the Phoenix Suns.
Later, Minnesota Timberwolves traded Rubio to Cleveland Cavaliers. He was traded in exchange for Taurean Prince. Eventually, he became the second-round pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
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Awards & Achievements
The below mentioned are Ricky’s career highlights, awards, and achievements.
- Bronze – 2005 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
- Gold – 2006 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
- 2006 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship MVP
- 2007 Spanish ACB League Rising Star Award Winner
- FIBA European Young Player of the Year (2007, 2008 & 2009)
- 2008 Mister Europa Player of the Year
- 2008 Summer Olympics (Silver)
- 2009 Catalan Cup Tournament MVP
- 2009 Spanish ACB League Defensive Player of the Year
After 2010
- 2010 EuroLeague, EuroLeague Rising Star & ACB Most Spectacular Player
- Spanish King’s Cup (2010, 2011)
- NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month [December & January of 2011-2012 season]
- 2016 Summer Olympics (Bronze)
- 2019 World Cup (Gold)
- 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team & FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP
- 2020 Summer Olympics All-Star Team
Social Media Presence
If you want to follow the NBA player on his social platforms, you can click on the links given down below.
(Reminder: The followers mentioned below are as of Dec 2021)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Ricky Rubio’s career high?
Cavalier’s point guard, Rubio, scored a career-high 37 points against the New York Knicks. The athlete became the first NBA player to register over 35 points, over ten assists, and over eight three-pointers in a game.
What is Ricky Rubio’s jersey number at Cleveland Cavaliers?
Rubio’s jersey number at the Cleveland Cavaliers is 3.
Does Rubio have a ring?
No, Rubio has not won any championship till now.
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