Is Ricky Rubio Spain’s Next Great NBA Import? Let’s Wait Until He Can Buy A Beer To Find Out

So lost in that whole Spainish basketball unpleasantness is that the Espanoles probably have the best team in the world (while we have the best talent–yes, there is a difference). And while the media focus seems to center around stars like Paul Gasol and Jose Calderon, the hottest pan of pallela on the team is their back up point guard Ricky Rubio. And while his name screams “member of Menudo” or “washed up 90s porn star,” his game is conjuring up comparisons to NBA legend ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich. Oh, and by the way, all of these accolades have come at the age of 17.

[W]hat separates Rubio from the dozens of European players who have invaded N.B.A. rosters the last two decades is that he has become a global icon by his senior year of high school.

He is brash enough to wear a game jersey that is simply labeled “Ricky” on the back and flashy enough to be a YouTube sensation. At least six of the nearly 500 Rubio clips that come up on the site have been hit on more than 100,000 times, and comparisons to Pete Maravich have arisen because of his looks and ability.

Great, so he’s “The Professor” from those And1 Mixtape DVDs.
SPOILER ALERT…
If Rubio keeps on getting his ass handed to him like the US did to him and his Spain this morning in Beijing, he’s going to have to be happy taking a pay raise and playing in Europe. No NBA title, but we hear the crepes are fabulous!
In a Young Spaniard, N.B.A. Sees Next Maravich [NY Times]
Image [NY Times]