Scariolo calls Ricky Rubio: "He told me that he would like his first official match to be with the national team"
Six months after the debacle at the World Cup and with his eyes set on next summer, where the team will compete in the Valencia Pre-Olympic Championship (July 2 to 7) for their ticket to the Paris Games, Sergio Scariolo once again gathered his team to face the qualification matches for Eurobasket 2025. This upcoming window will see them face Latvia on Thursday, the 22nd in Zaragoza and Belgium on Sunday, the 25th in Charleroi. However, the most surprising news is the return of Ricky Rubio, who has been included in the roster.
“He told me that he would like his first official match to be with the national team.” Scariolo shared, “It was an emotional moment, and I was with my mother in the hospital when he called. I advised him to manage his expectations and not expect to be the MVP of the 2019 World Cup immediately. These things take time. We need to be cautious and patient.” The coach spoke about Ricky’s return and his mental health struggles. Ricky Rubio, who recently returned to FC Barcelona after a six-month hiatus, has not yet made his debut for the club after confirming his comeback. It was during the training camp for the previous World Cup that Ricky decided to take a break from his sports career. “He feels a special connection with the national team and his teammates. It was a very emotional moment when he informed me of his decision,” Scariolo reiterated in the press conference.
The selected squad consists of 14 players, with 10 of them currently playing in the Euroleague. Alongside Ricky Rubio, the return of Carlos Alocén, and the presence of Madrid players Alberto Abalde and Rudy Fernández (Sergio Llull is absent) and Barcelona’s Darío Brizuela and Joel Parra (Willy Hernángomez is absent), it’s an intriguing lineup. Juancho Hernangómez, Alberto Díaz, Víctor Claver, López Aróstegui, Jaime Pradilla, Jankuba Sima, Jaime Fernández, and Sebas Saiz complete the roster. Notably, Lorenzo Brown and Juan Núñez are not included. Additionally, six players from the youth categories have been invited: Hugo González, Eli Ndiaye, Lucas Langarita, Jordi Rodríguez, De Larrea, and Mario Saint-Supery.
“We wanted to prioritize those players who have had limited opportunities in previous windows. Some players have had minimal presence in international competitions, which is crucial when it comes to the ability to compete in a team that will face a difficult Pre-Olympic tournament. We wanted to give these players a chance to showcase their skills,” reflected the coach.
This window holds special significance due to the improved relationship between FIBA and the Euroleague. For the first time in years, players from the top continental competition can join their national teams outside the summer, mainly because the Euroleague matches are not scheduled during this period.
Scariolo, who recently visited Spanish NBA players in the US, acknowledged that some players chose not to be part of the squad in order to rest or recover from their injuries. The coach made a special mention of Lorenzo Brown, saying, “I saw him in Belgrade, and I was surprised by his willingness to participate in the windows. Unfortunately, a back problem prevented him from joining, but we remain optimistic for the Pre-Olympic tournament.”