Certainly! Here's the rewritten version of the article, adding more detailed descriptions while maintaining the original semantics:
A Touching Journey: From Scoring 51 Points at 14 to Battling Depression at 33, Ricky Rubio Returns to the Court
\"Late one night in a hotel room, I was alone with my thoughts. I suddenly had the idea to end it all—not my career, but my life,\" Ricky Rubio, once Europe's \"Golden Boy,\" revealed in a poignant interview on a basketball blog recently. Having amassed a staggering $140 million throughout his NBA career and stood atop European and global podiums numerous times with the Spanish national team, Rubio appeared to be winning at life. However, reality proved otherwise.
According to Rubio, his years in the NBA were marked by profound loneliness. Spending extended periods far from home across the Atlantic Ocean took a toll, with only brief reunions during breaks with his family. A significant emotional burden for Rubio was the loss of his mother to cancer in 2016, a devastating blow for the exceptionally filial Rubio. Playing with a heavy heart, compounded by frequent injuries towards the end of his NBA stint, led him to contemplate ending it all. Despite these challenges, Rubio recently bravely returned to the basketball court, signing with his career's first team, Barcelona Juventut. Let's delve into the remarkable journey of Rubio through the years.
1. Leading Spain to World Cup Glory, Yet Roaming the NBA
Let's rewind to the summer of 2019 when the Men's Basketball World Cup arrived in China. Teams were well-prepared for this prestigious event. Spain, no longer the super team that once rivaled Dream Team, had seen legends like Pau Gasol retire. Despite modest expectations, they achieved the unexpected. Rubio, as the team's core, averaged 16.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game with a near 40% three-point shooting accuracy. He played remarkably, leading Spain to victory over Argentina in the finals, securing the championship. Rubio not only became the World Cup's all-time assists leader but also earned MVP honors for both the finals and the tournament, showcasing remarkable dominance.
However, his return to the NBA was less glamorous. The Utah Jazz chose not to renew his contract, preferring a player with a stable three-point shot. At 29, Rubio found solace in a $51 million, 3-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, where he teamed up with Devin Booker to bolster the backcourt. Despite performing well with averages of 13 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and a 36.1% three-point shooting, the Suns failed to shine. During the offseason, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Chris Paul deal, only to be swiftly returned to the Timberwolves by the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving Rubio feeling increasingly disheartened.
2. Frequent Trades and Injury Woes
Back with the Timberwolves, Rubio's playing time decreased, yet his contributions remained commendable. He maintained solid averages of 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, despite poor shooting ability. Nonetheless, the team traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers after the season. With D'Angelo Russell already on the team and top draft pick Anthony Edwards in the shooting guard position, the Timberwolves deemed Rubio expendable. However, in Cleveland, as a backup, Rubio found new motivation, raising his averages to 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, becoming a key player in the Cavaliers' second unit, helping to elevate the team's performance.
Yet, tragedy struck again during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite a stellar performance of 27 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, Rubio suffered a severe injury diagnosed as a torn left ACL. At 31, this injury was potentially career-ending. To Rubio's disappointment, the Cavaliers traded him to the Indiana Pacers while injured. Although understandable, the trade left him deeply disheartened. Despite being re-signed by the Cavaliers with a $18.4 million, 3-year contract, Rubio struggled with severe depression and persistent on-court injuries, playing only 33 games in the 2022-23 season. Eventually, in January 2024, Rubio and the Cavaliers mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
3. Contemplating Suicide, Now Courageously Returning to the Court
Following the contract termination with the Cavaliers, Rubio announced his retirement, feeling overwhelmed by depression. He admitted to considering suicide during this dark period but chose against it, thinking of his remaining loved ones. Since his mother's death in 2016, Rubio struggled to move past the grief, prompting him to establish the Ricky Rubio Cancer Foundation in her honor, aiming to save patients like her and redeem his own soul. This year, encouraged by close friends, Rubio returned to the court, rejoining his former team, Barcelona. Although he played sparingly, the 34-year-old Rubio has bravely faced his challenges, embarking on a new chapter in his life.
This is the poignant journey of Ricky Rubio, a testament to resilience in the face of adversity and the relentless pursuit of passion against all odds.
