Ricky Rubio

a win over the Houston Rockets, Rubio tied a franchise record with his 17-assist effort.[56] On 24 March 2017, he had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds in a 119–104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[57]On June 30, 2017, Rubio was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2018 first-round draft pick. He signed with the Phoenix Suns on 8 July 2019.[58] He returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020, before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in August 2021. He was traded to the Indiana Pacers shortly after he sustained a season-ending injury in December 2021.[59]After months of deliberation, Rubio opted to retire from the NBA on January 4, 2024, to prioritize his mental health. He had concluded his professional basketball career with many impressive achievements, including being the youngest ever player to play in the Spanish ACB League. He was also the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted by an NBA team. Aside from these feats, Rubio had plenty of consistent performances and had numerous titles to his credit which displayed his immense talent and his importance to the teams he was a part of. These included the FIBA EuroChallenge championship with Joventut, the Spanish ACB League’s Rising Star Award, the title of FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year for three consecutive years, and the EuroCup championship, among others. He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year for the Spanish ACB League in the 2008-09 season and led the league in steals that season. He played a crucial part in assisting FC Barcelona to secure victory in the 2009-10 EuroLeague and the Liga ACB Championship in 2011.During his NBA career, several of his memorable performances included recording triple-doubles and setting career and franchise records. He won fans across the world for his amazing dribbling skills, impressive assists, and ability to direct plays. However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Rubio, who underwent surgery for his injured ankle in 2015 and also endured an ACL and lateral collateral ligament tear in 2012.Ultimately, Ricky Rubio may have ended his NBA career, but he left behind a legacy of great performances, unselfish play, and virtuous sportsmanship. His impact on the game — both in the USA and his home country, Spain — is indelible. And while he departs the court, the basketball world will forever remember this Spaniard for his contributions to the sport.