Mohamed Dabone, the 13-year-old phenomenon promoted to FC Barcelona’s first team
August 13, 2025
Lilian Bordron
Ricky Rubio condemns the use of very young players at professional level: « It looks like exploitation »
Ricky Rubio criticizes early professional debuts of young basketball players. The 34-year-old Spanish point guard, who is preparing to return to the courts with Joventut Badalona, calls for better regulation following the case of Mohamed Dabone, 13, at FC Barcelona.
Photo Credit : Miko Missana
As he prepares to make his return to Champions League (BCL) and Liga Endesa with Joventut Badalona, Ricky Rubio has taken a stance on a sensitive issue in European basketball: the increasingly early professional debuts of young talents.
A direct criticism after Mohamed Dabone case
The 34-year-old Spanish point guard didn’t mince his words regarding the recent appearance of very young players at the highest level, particularly Mohamed Dabone, aged just 13, who recently got playing time with FC Barcelona.
« It almost looks like exploitation, » Rubio stated in an interview with Gigantes. « If you have the necessary level at 13, you’ll probably be able to play at 16 or 17 too, or at 18. »
This stance is particularly noteworthy as Rubio himself had set a record by becoming the youngest player to compete in ACB during the 2005-2006 season, debuting with Badalona shortly before turning 15.
A call for professional regulation
The former NBA player advocates for a more structured and regulated approach to these early debuts. « There should be professionals, who already exist, to see at what stage to start playing, » he explains. « There will always be a debate, ‘this guy is more mature at 16 and another at 18’. Yes, but a rule needs to be established, backed by studies with people who understand the whole issue a bit better. »
Rubio makes a striking comparison with other areas of society: « You can’t drive a car at 16. Some 16-year-olds might be more inclined to drive than an 18-year-old, and they don’t complain because it’s the law. I think starting in a professional team, where you enter a very dangerous world because you’re open to so many things, should be regulated. »
After taking a break in 2023 to focus on his mental health, Rubio made his return at the end of the 2023-2024 season with Barcelona before joining Badalona last July. « I’ve learned a lot, » he confides. « I was able to focus on myself. It’s difficult for me to talk about it, but I think I’m doing something good for people who might be going through the same thing as me. »
Sylvain Sultat suit la NBA au quotidien, entre performances individuelles, dynamiques collectives et grandes histoires de la ligue. Sur BeBasket, il décrypte l’actualité américaine avec passion et régularité, toujours à l’affût des tendances qui font bouger le monde du basket.
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