Ricky Rubio makes exceptional return with Joventut Badalona
© Coviran Granada | Fermín Rodríguez
The grand return of Ricky Rubio (6’3″, 34 years old) to Spanish courts was met with applause. Absent since January 2024, the Catalan point guard officially played again with Joventut Badalona, his youth club, and immediately reminded everyone why he remains one of Spanish basketball’s greatest talents.
Delivering a brilliant performance (18 points on 4/7 shooting, 9/9 free throws, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 fouls drawn for a 30 PIR in 19 minutes), he led La Penya to a convincing victory on Granada’s court (75-87) in the first round of Liga Endesa.
Ricky Rubio, as if he never left
Ricky Rubio’s return was anticipated throughout Spain. In Granada, where he made his Liga Endesa debut in 2005 at just 14 years old, the point guard received a tribute from the local club before the game. That emotion quickly turned into performance: in less than five minutes, he already had an 11 PIR, guiding Joventut to an early lead (14-22, 10th).
Always in control of the tempo, precise and inspired, Rubio left his mark on the Catalan team’s collective play. His influence was immediately felt, restoring the fluidity and creativity that Joventut had been missing so much.
La vuelta de RICKY RUBIO a la Liga ACB:
18 puntos
9/9 en tiros libres
4 asistencias
3 robos
3 rebotes31 de valoración en 19 minutos en la pista.pic.twitter.com/VZnogFM3Dk
— Carlos Sánchez Blas (@blasradio) October 5, 2025
A solid Penya around their leader
While Rubio was the main architect of the success, the Catalan collective didn’t falter. Swedish international Simon Birgander (16 points, 19 PIR) dominated in the paint, while Ante Tomic (13 points, 17 PIR) perfectly supported the Catalan point guard in the final quarter.
On the other side, Luka Bozic (22 points, 33 PIR) tried to keep Granada in the game, but the difference in control became apparent in the final minutes. Against Rubio, Jonathan Rousselle scored 10 points on 4/7 shooting in less than 18 minutes.
Joventut thus starts its season perfectly (75-87) with an encouraging performance from its emblematic captain. At 35, Ricky Rubio proves he hasn’t lost any of his genius, and his return to Spain could well give new life to La Penya.
Commentaires