Rubio reportedly to join Timberwolves
By Sports Network
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  Barcelona's Ricky Rubio drives to the net against the Lakers during NBA Europe Live event in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 7, 2010. (ALBERT GEA/Reuters) |
MINNEAPOLIS - Flashy Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has reportedly decided to join the Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to multiple reports, including one from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the 20-year-old Rubio signed a contract with the Timberwolves prior to a Tuesday deadline. The newspaper reports the team will hold a press conference to introduce Rubio once he finishes playing for Regal Barcelona later this month.
Rubio was selected with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Timberwolves. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Tuesday was the final day Rubio could sign with Minnesota to be paid under the current rookie wage scale.
The Timberwolves worked hard before to get an agreement in place for Rubio to come to the NBA by coming to an understanding with his former Spanish team, DKV Joventut, to buy out his contract. Instead, Rubio pulled away from coming to the NBA and saw his rights traded from Joventut to Regal Barcelona and he signed a long-term deal with the club in the summer of 2009.
Rubio, who first turned professional at age 14 and was in the Olympics in 2008, has averaged 6.5 points and 3.5 assists per game this season for Regal Barcelona.
