Rubio ends NBA career after reported Cavs buyout

Ricky Rubio has ended his NBA career, he announced Thursday.

The Spanish guard agreed to a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, allowing him to step away from the league after 12 seasons. Rubio cited his mental health as a reason for his decision.

The guard would likely return to Spain if he opts to continue his professional career, according to Wojnarowski.

Rubio had been away from the Cavaliers this season to address his mental health and was not expected to return for the 2023-24 campaign. He played a combined 67 games over two seasons in Cleveland after returning from an ACL tear that sidelined him for just over a calendar year.

"Special mention to Cleveland," Rubio said in his statement. "My last home. I know the way things ended have been tough.

"I could never have imagined the year would develop this way, but you have an amazing organization, with Koby (Altman) and J.B. (Bickerstaff), who have been extremely respectful and understanding of my situation and caring for me as a person."

Rubio averaged 10.8 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals over 698 career games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Cavaliers.

A former fifth overall pick in 2009, he also represented Spain internationally, helping the country win silver and bronze at the 2008 and 2016 Olympic Games, respectively. He was also on the gold-winning side at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.