MEMPHIS (EuroBasket 2009) - Ricky Rubio’s fame spreads far and wide.

That was confirmed on Friday when his Spain international teammate Marc Gasol held a press conference in Barcelona.

"Everyone knows Ricky Rubio," Gasol said, "even my teammates who don't know where Barcelona is."

Rubio, who plays at DKV Joventut in Badalona, announced this week that he’s declaring for the NBA draft and is expected to be a lottery pick.

"I have advised Ricky to be patient," Gasol said.

"It's going to be very hard, but he has a lot of quality."

Gasol is back in Spain after a very solid rookie campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Following a 2007-08 season in which he was voted Player of the Year in the ACB, Gasol competed at the Olympics and then travelled to America to play for the Grizz – the former club of his older brother Pau.

While Memphis struggled all season long and didn’t make the play-offs, Gasol started most games and ended up averaging almost 31 minutes.

"I am very happy with what I've done in Memphis," he said.

"I have no regrets to have gone there."

Gasol doesn’t know if his brother Pau is going to play at the EuroBasket. The older Gasol is currently in the NBA play-offs with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"He hasn't decided yet what he will do," Gasol said. "But our aim in Poland is to achieve the maximum."

As for his former club Barcelona reaching the Euroleague Final Four, Gasol said: "I am really happy for my former teammates and I hope they will win the Euroleague."

FIBA