ESP - Rubio a work in progress, puts team first

PANEVEZYS (EuroBasket 2011) -  Ricky Rubio has been a presence in high-level European professional basketball for so long, it's hard to believe he's only 20 years old.

And while Minnesota Timberwolves fans and those who have experienced the exciting Spain point guard only through YouTube clips may be befuddled by his relatively little amount of playing time early in the 2011 FIBA European Championship, Rubio is demonstrating a level of maturity toward team-first play that simply cannot be taught.

Rubio went nearly a full seven quarters of basketball before registering his first points in the EuroBasket tournament, surely strange for those concerned about the wunderkind's decidedly imperfect outside shooting. But Spain national team coach Sergio Scariolo - and Rubio himself - are quite realistic about what needs to be done in the present to advance the team to a 2012 Olympic bid.

When asked specifically about Rubio's shooting, Scariolo commented that, "In national team preparations, there is no time to improve individual technical abilities. We had the shortest training camp out of [the 24 EuroBasket teams] and we are focusing on reaching the best shape."

His young guard would agree, denying with modesty that he either wants or needs more playing time in the European Championship: "I am only here to help the team win," said Rubio.

Scariolo mixes realism about Rubio's current abilities with generous praise to the youngster's notable work ethic - not surprising, given that he is typically the first Spain player on the court to warm up before EuroBasket games - "He is working a lot by himself, but we don't expect a critical change from him. We want him to have good shot selection. He is a gifted player in other aspects of the game."

It's all good news for those watching this young player's development, then. Despite what some might see as a death of on-court minutes, Rubio is coming along fine. Call this extremely promising player a work in progress, then, and one demonstrating great potential for future leadership of the Spanish national team in 2012 Olympics and beyond.

FIBA