ESP – Rubio gives statement on hope of playing in NBA next season

BADALONA (ACB/NBA) – Spanish international Ricky Rubio has firmly declared his intention to declare for the NBA draft and leave DKV Joventut after the season.

The 18-year-old playmaker, who drew rave reviews for his performance in Beijing last summer with Spain’s Olympic silver-medal winning side, has issued a statement following meetings involving himself, his agent Dan Fegan and DKV Joventut president Jordi Villacampa.

"The hope and responsibility not to disappoint has given me the will to continue to work and I believe that I am ready to take that leap and to realize the dream that any player has,” he said.

There was NBA hype surrounding Rubio before last summer’s Olympics, and his outstanding performances against the best players in the world only fuelled speculation that he would leave for North America after the 2008-09 ACB campaign.

"At the time, I didn't think about it,” he said.

“But I realized that I can play against the best and I believe I’m not mistaken. My wish is to go to the NBA for the 2009-10 campaign.”

Rubio is still under contract with DKV for two more seasons and that means he will have to pay the majority of the $6million that is in his buy-out clause with the ACB club. The NBA side that chooses him will only be allowed to pay a portion of the buy-out.

"That could be an impediment but I am not concerned because my agents are working on that,” Rubio said.

DKV have made it clear that they want Rubio to stay in Spain for at least another season or two.

But Rubio said: "I am doing this because I want to. Joventut has a splendid future ahead of it."

Rubio would not want to leave if the indications were that he would not be a top pick.

"I am making myself available for the draft because they (advisors) have told me that I can finish in a very high position,” he said.

“I can be at the top and that is why I am making myself available. No basketball player can say no to a high position in the draft. That assures you go there and have already a name. My agent will speak to the franchises and I will try to give everything."

The likelihood is that Rubio will go to a struggling team that did not make the play-offs.

"I haven't spoken much about the teams because this is a lottery, but it appears that Sacramento, the (LA) Clippers and (Washington) Wizards have many possibilities," he said.

Rubio will now attempt to focus on the rest of the season with DKV, where it appears fans will have to get used to the idea that they are about to lose an extraordinary player to the NBA for the second year in a row.

Rudy Fernandez, a former FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year and Spain national team star, is in his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I will not speak anymore about the NBA until the season is over,” Rubio said.

“I want to thank DKV for the confidence they gave me in allowing me to make my ACB debut at such a young age.

“Whatever happens in the future, I will always have Joventut in my heart."

FIBA