And-Ones: Rubio, Middle East, Olympics, ROY Predictions
ByRory Maher| at July 30, 2026 10:08 pmLongtime former NBA point guardRicky Rubiowill continue his basketball career in his native Spain, writesJavier Molero of Eurohoops. net. The 35-year-old has re-signed. . .
ByRory Maher| at July 30, 2026 10:08 pmLongtime former NBA point guardRicky Rubiowill continue his basketball career in his native Spain, writesJavier Molero of Eurohoops. net. The 35-year-old has re-signed with Joventut Badalona on a one-year deal, the team confirmed on Thursday (via Twitter). The fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft, Rubio spent 12 years in the NBA with Minnesota, Utah, Phoenix and Cleveland. In 698 career games, he averaged 10. 8 points, 7. 4 assists, 4. 1 rebounds and 1. 8 steals in 29. 6 minutes per night. Rubio, who made his professional debut with Joventut Badalona in October 2005 at age 14, rejoined the team last season and helped the club go 22-12 in the Liga ACB regular season. In 31 appearances, he averaged 13. 4 PPG, 5. 3 APG, 3. 4 RPG and 1. 5 SPG in 21. 3 MPG. Here’s more from around the basketball world:Due to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, no NBA preseason games will be held in the Middle East in 2026, reportRamona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. The league has held preseason contests in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, each of the past four years, and considered the possibility of hosting its first preseason game in Doha, Qatar, ahead of the 2027 FIBA World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in Doha. According to Shelburne and Windhorst, the NBA plans to schedule preseason games in Abu Dhabi in the future and will revisit the concept of potentially playing in Qatar as well, but there’s no timeline for that to happen amid the ongoing conflict. Zach Kram of ESPNtakes an early look at which American men could make Team USA’s roster for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, listingJalen Brunson,Scottie BarnesandLeBron Jamesamong a handful of players whose stocks are on the rise. Chet Holmgren,Jalen DurenandDonovan Mitchell, meanwhile, are trending in the opposite direction, in Kram’s view. Who will win the Rookie of the Year award in 2026/27? A total of 20 writers atThe Athleticmake way-too-early predictions. The top-two picks in the draft —AJ Dybantsa(Wizards) andDarryn Peterson(Jazz) — tied for first with six votes each, followed byCameron Boozerof theGrizzlies(four votes) andBullsforwardCaleb Wilson(three), who were selected third and fourth overall, respectively. The final vote went toBucksguardBrayden Burries, the 10th pick. View Comments (0)