Career Timeline of Ricky Rubio: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Ricky Rubio built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Ricard 'Ricky' Rubio Vives is a Spanish former professional basketball player renowned for his precocious talent. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player to debut in the Spanish Liga ACB at age 14 in 2005. Shortly after turning 16 in 2006, Rubio became one of the youngest players to participate in the EuroLeague.
1996: Notable Game against Utah Jazz
On 24 February 2020, Ricky Rubio put up 22 points, 11 assists, 7 steals, and 6 rebounds in a 131–111 win over his former team, the Utah Jazz. He became the first Suns player to reach those stats since Kevin Johnson in 1996.
April 1999: NBA Regular Season Debut
On 26 December 2011, Ricky Rubio made his NBA regular season debut for the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This marked the team's first sellout since the 2007-08 season.
2001: 30 Points, 10 Rebounds Game
On 11 March 2018, Ricky Rubio had 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a 116–99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
October 2005: Youngest Player in Spanish Liga ACB
On 15 October 2005, at the age of 14, Ricky Rubio became the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish Liga ACB.
2005: Debut in Spanish ACB League
In 2005, Ricky Rubio debuted in the Spanish ACB League with DKV Joventut, becoming the youngest player ever to do so at 14 years and 11 months old, and won the FIBA EuroChallenge championship that year.
August 2006: FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
In August 2006, Ricky Rubio led the rising junior Spain national team to the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, achieving two triple-doubles and a quadruple-double during the tournament. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after leading in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
October 2006: EuroLeague Debut
In October 2006, Ricky Rubio made his EuroLeague debut with Joventut against Panathinaikos as a backup point guard, becoming the fifth-youngest EuroLeague player at the time.
2007: Spanish ACB League Leader in Steals and Rising Star Award
In 2007, Ricky Rubio led the Spanish ACB League in steals and won the league's Rising Star Award, marking a successful year in his early career.
2007: NBA Regular Season Debut
On 26 December 2011, Ricky Rubio made his NBA regular season debut for the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This marked the team's first sellout since the 2007-08 season.
2008: Beijing Summer Olympics
In 2008, Ricky Rubio competed internationally with the senior Spain National Team at the Beijing Summer Olympics, playing alongside current and former NBA players.
2008: EuroCup Championship
In 2008, Ricky Rubio won the EuroCup championship with Joventut and was voted the Spanish ACB League's best point guard, adding to his growing list of achievements.
2008: Youngest Player in Olympic Basketball Final
In the 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament's gold medal game against the USA's "Redeem Team", Rubio became the youngest player in an Olympic basketball final, securing a silver medal after a 118–107 loss.
April 2009: Declared for NBA Draft
On 20 April 2009, Ricky Rubio declared himself eligible for the 2009 NBA draft, marking a significant step toward his NBA career.
June 2009: Timberwolves Acquire Rubio in NBA Draft
On 24 June 2009, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired the fifth pick in the 2009 NBA draft and selected Ricky Rubio, making him the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted. The Timberwolves had a total of four first-round picks in the 2009 NBA draft.
June 2009: Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves
On 25 June 2009, Ricky Rubio was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA draft. He became the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted by an NBA team.
August 2009: Trade to FC Barcelona
On 31 August 2009, Joventut traded Ricky Rubio's rights to FC Barcelona, leading to Rubio signing a six-year contract with the club the following day.
August 2009: Delay of NBA Arrival
On 31 August 2009, it was reported that Ricky Rubio would not come to the NBA until 2011 at the earliest.
2009: Plays for FC Barcelona
After the 2009 NBA draft, Ricky Rubio played for FC Barcelona, as agreed upon with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2009: Buyout and Contract
In 2009, Ricky Rubio's original buyout with Joventut was €5.7 million, and Barça bought out his contract for €3.5 million.
2010: EuroLeague Championship with FC Barcelona
In 2010, Ricky Rubio won the EuroLeague championship with FC Barcelona, adding a significant title to his career achievements. He was also voted the Spanish ACB League's best point guard in 2010 as well.
2010: Buyout and Contract
In 2010, Ricky Rubio's original buyout with Joventut was €5.7 million.
June 2011: Agreement to Join Timberwolves
On 1 June 2011, Ricky Rubio reached an agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves to join the team for the 2011-12 NBA season and on 17 June 2011 held a press conference announcing he had signed with Minnesota.
December 2011: NBA Regular Season Debut
On 26 December 2011, Ricky Rubio made his NBA regular season debut for the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This marked the team's first sellout since the 2007-08 season.
2011: Joins the Timberwolves
In 2011, Ricky Rubio officially joined the Minnesota Timberwolves, beginning his NBA career after being drafted in 2009.
2011: NBA Arrival Delayed
In August 2009 it was reported that Ricky Rubio would not come to the NBA until 2011 at the earliest.
February 2012: Rising Stars Challenge Selection
In February 2012, Ricky Rubio and teammate Derrick Williams were selected to participate in the 2012 Rising Stars challenge. Rubio was drafted to Team Shaq.
March 2013: First Career Triple-Double
On 13 March 2013, Ricky Rubio recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a win over the San Antonio Spurs.
November 2013: Second Career Triple-Double
On 11 November 2013, Ricky Rubio recorded his second career triple-double with 12 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
February 2014: Career-High Assists
On 19 February 2014, Ricky Rubio recorded a career-high 17 assists in a win over the Indiana Pacers.
March 2014: Third Career Triple-Double
On 19 March 2014, Ricky Rubio recorded his third career triple-double with 22 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds in an overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks.
October 2014: Contract Extension
On 31 October 2014, Ricky Rubio signed a four-year, $56 million contract extension with the Timberwolves.
March 2015: Fourth Career Triple-Double
On 2 March 2015, Ricky Rubio recorded his fourth career triple-double with 18 points, 11 assists, and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
October 2015: Career-High Points in Season Opener
On 28 October 2015, Ricky Rubio scored a then career-high 28 points in a season-opening win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
March 2016: Game-Winning Three-Pointer
On 11 March 2016, Ricky Rubio's three-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining lifted the Timberwolves to a 99–96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he finished with 13 points and 12 assists.
January 2017: 17-Assist Effort
On 11 January 2017, in a win over the Houston Rockets, Ricky Rubio had a 17-assist effort for the fifth time in his career. Rubio also passed Sam Mitchell to move into fourth place on the team's career games played list with 292.
March 2017: Career and Franchise Records
On 13 March 2017, Ricky Rubio scored 22 points and broke his own franchise record with 19 assists in a win over the Washington Wizards. Then on 30 March 2017, Rubio had a then career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a win over the Lakers.
June 2017: Trade to Utah Jazz
In June 2017, Ricky Rubio was traded to the Utah Jazz, marking another change in his NBA career.
November 2017: Season-High 30 Points
On 1 November 2017, Ricky Rubio scored a season-high 30 points in a 112–103 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
February 2018: New Season High with 34 Points
On 3 February 2018, Ricky Rubio set a new season high with 34 points in a 120–111 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
March 2018: 30 Points, 10 Rebounds Game
On 11 March 2018, Ricky Rubio had 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a 116–99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
July 2019: Signing with the Phoenix Suns
In July 2019, Ricky Rubio signed with the Phoenix Suns, adding another team to his NBA journey.
2019: FIBA Basketball World Cup Gold Medal and MVP
In 2019, Ricky Rubio led Spain to a gold medal in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China and was named the World Cup MVP and the Spanish Sportsman of the Year.
February 2020: Notable Game against Utah Jazz
On 24 February 2020, Ricky Rubio put up 22 points, 11 assists, 7 steals, and 6 rebounds in a 131–111 win over his former team, the Utah Jazz. He became the first Suns player to reach those stats since Kevin Johnson in 1996.
November 2020: Trade to Oklahoma City Thunder
In November 2020, Ricky Rubio was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with multiple players and a 2022 first-round draft pick.
2020: Returns to Minnesota
In 2020, Ricky Rubio returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves for another stint with the team.
2020: Most Points Scored Against Team USA
In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Ricky Rubio broke the record for most points scored against Team USA with 38 points.
August 2021: Trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers
In August 2021, Ricky Rubio was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Taurean Prince, a 2022 second round pick, and cash considerations.
February 2022: Trade to the Indiana Pacers
In February 2022, Ricky Rubio was traded to the Indiana Pacers along with draft picks in exchange for Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick.
July 2022: Return to the Cleveland Cavaliers
In July 2022, Ricky Rubio, still recovering from an injury, returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-year, $18 million contract.
2022: Second round pick in trade
In August 2021, Ricky Rubio was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Taurean Prince, a 2022 second round pick, and cash considerations.
2022: Draft pick included in trade
In November 2020, Rubio was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder; the trade included a 2022 first-round draft pick. Later, Rubio was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves with draft rights to Jaden McDaniels and Leandro Bolmaro.
January 2023: Return from Injury
On January 12, 2023, Ricky Rubio made his return from injury, scoring nine points in ten minutes in his season debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
January 2024: Retirement Announcement
In January 2024, Ricky Rubio announced his retirement from the NBA, marking the end of his professional basketball career.
January 2024: Contract Buyout and NBA Retirement
On January 4, 2024, Ricky Rubio and the Cavaliers agreed to a contract buyout. Later that day, Rubio announced his retirement from the NBA.
February 2024: Signing with FC Barcelona
On February 6, 2024, Ricky Rubio signed with FC Barcelona for the remainder of the season.
2024: Minnesota Timberwolves Second-Round Selection
In November 2020, Rubio was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for James Johnson, the draft rights to Aleksej Pokuševski, and Minnesota's 2024 second-round selection.
2027: Draft pick included in trade
In February 2022, Ricky Rubio was traded to the Indiana Pacers along with a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick.
