In the Granada Municipal Sports Palace, the past and the present came together when Ricky Rubio returned to the courts with Joventut Badalona in the victory over Covirán Granada (75-87). During the opening game of the ACB season, Masnou's point guard, who debuted nearly 20 years ago in that same place, shone again after 490 days away from the Spanish league. Rubio, 34, reaffirmed his quality with 18 points, four assists and a perfect free-throw percentage. The fans, with 7,489 spectators, gave him a warm welcome, remembering his beginnings and celebrating his return. The victory not only added points to the scoreboard but also had a deep emotional significance for Rubio, who confessed to having regained a sense of hope that he hadn't felt in a long time.
This match marked a new chapter in a career full of ups and downs. After leaving Joventut in 2009, Rubio was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA draft and played 12 seasons with four teams, in addition to being a world champion with the Spanish national team in 2019. The injuries and the pressure of elite sport led Rubio to take a break to prioritize his mental health. His return to Joventut, after brief stints with Barcelona and an early retirement from the NBA, symbolizes a return to himself. In Granada, where two decades ago a teenager began to forge his legend, Rubio once again showed his true essence, promising to be the last club in his professional career.
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