‘Toughest nights of my life’: Ricky Rubio ends NBA career with Cleveland
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CLEVELAND (WJW) – Ricky Rubio says his NBA career has come to an end.
He released a statement Thursday, after reports that he and the Cleveland Cavaliers had reached a buyout agreement.
Rubio, 33, announced in August that his career was on hold indefinitely due to mental health issues.
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He shared more details about that on Thursday.
“July 30th was one of the toughest nights of my life,” he wrote on social media. “My mind went to a dark place. I kind of knew I was going in that direction, but I’ve never thought I wasn’t under control of the situation. The next day, I decided to stop my professional career.
One day, when the time is right, I would love to share my full experience with you all so I can help support others going through similar situations. Until then, I would like to keep it private out of respect for my family and myself, as I’m still working on my mental health. But I’m proud to say I’m doing much better and getting better every day.”
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 16: Ricky Rubio attends the CECOB Press Conference on June 16, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mario Wurzburger/Getty Images) BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 30: Ricky Rubio, NBA basketball player and president of The Ricky Rubio Foundation, presents the “Mecheros Para Dejar De Fumar” Campaign on May 30, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. The Ricky Rubio Foundation launches the campaign “Mecheros Para Dejar De Fumar”, a positive campaign to encourage younger people not to smoke or to stop smoking if they already smoke. (Photo by Cesc Maymo/Getty Images) BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 16: Ricky Rubio poses for a portrait after attending the CECOB Press Conference on June 16, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mario Wurzburger/Getty Images) Ricky Rubio of the Cleveland Cavaliers is seen during a game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) FILE – Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio looks to move the ball around New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) in the first half of Game 4 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, April 23, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Rubio announced on Saturday, Aug. 5, that he is taking a break from basketball to focus on his mental health, a move that comes as his Spanish national team prepares to defend its title at the FIBA World Cup that starts later this month. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
Rubio played in the NBA for 12 years and was drafted by Minnesota in 2009.
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He has a special thanks to Cleveland for his time here.
“Special mention to Cleveland. My last home. I know the way things ended have been tough. I could never have imaged the year would develop this way, but you have an amazing organization, with Koby and JB, who have been extremely respectful and understanding of my situation and caring for me as a person.
Thank you for all the love and support!”
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