Hardly ever would a 20-year-old basketball player be considered over the hill. But Ricky Rubio set the bar high for himself with his precocious play. Along the way, he has won championships at each level.
Rubio made his professional debut at 14 with DKV Joventut in the ACB league of Spain, mesmerizing audience with his originality and basketball acumen. In 2009, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him fifth over all in the N.B.A. draft.
He elected to stay in Spain, moving across town to F.C. Barcelona, one of the most famous basketball teams in Europe. The team won a Euroleague title last season with Rubio playing a rather minor role.
For much of the important action of the Euroleague Final Four, he watched from the bench. Rubio was just a rookie at this level, and people said he still had a lot to learn.
