Ricky Rubio: “I didn’t come back to Badalona just to play basketball. I want to leave a legacy”

“I want to leave a legacy”

Ricky Rubio explained that his return to Joventut Badalona was motivated by ambitions that go beyond simply playing basketball.

“I didn’t come back here just to play basketball, but also to leave a legacy in the city and at the club. I want this project to keep moving forward. There are aspects we can improve, and I want everyone to have that ambition so that this club can get back where it deserves to be,” Rubio said during the media day ahead of the Lliga Catalana.

Rubio began his career with Joventut at just 14 years old before returning to the club in 2025. He now wants to play an important role in its long-term development.

“Last season we achieved very high goals”

Rubio also addressed expectations for the upcoming season and the challenge of maintaining the level reached last year.

“Last year we achieved very high goals, and comparing them with this season is difficult. We weren’t able to retain some players we would have liked to keep because we have the budget we have.”

The return of Laprovittola

One of the biggest attractions of the new Joventut project will be the return of Nicolás Laprovittola.

“As a fan, it’s a pleasure and I’m really looking forward to seeing his magic. I think he’s a player who has given so much to this club at a very difficult time, and he is highly appreciated.”

Rubio also believes the two guards can complement each other particularly well at this stage of their careers.

“As teammates, we can complement each other much more now. At this stage of our careers, it can be key that we help each other.”

“I was already quite clear that I wanted to return”

Rubio explained why he decided to extend his stay in Badalona for another season despite finishing the previous campaign physically and mentally exhausted.

“When I finished last season, I was physically and mentally at my limit. When you finish that way, it means you have given everything. I needed a couple of weeks, but afterwards I was already quite clear that I wanted to return to the project.”

Dani Miret: “Ricky and Nico are masters at controlling the game”

Joventut head coach Dani Miret also highlighted the importance of having two elite point guards available.

“We have players who are masters at controlling the game. You have Ricky, you have Nico. There will be moments when we want to play faster and others when we want to play slower.”