Spain's star Ricky Rubio will miss FIBA World Cup to focus on mental health 

Spain's basketball star Ricky Rubio will miss this summer's FIBA World Cup to focus on his mental health.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Spanish national team point guard has announced on Saturday (5 August) that he is taking an indefinite break from professional basketball. 

"I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health. I want to thank all the support I have received from the (Spanish national team to understand my decision," Rubio said in a statement of the Spanish Basketball Federation. "Today #family makes more sense than ever. Thank you. I would ask that my privacy be respected so that I can face these moments and be able to give more information when the time is right." 

The 32-year-old was the MVP of the 2019 World Cup when the Spaniards beat Argentina in the final.

Spain were hoping that their veteran would help them defend their title later this summer in the Philippines (25 August - 10 September) but Rubio felt unwell and left his team's training camp in Madrid earlier this week. He did not feature in their first 87-57 win over Venezuela in Friday night's warmup game. 

Rubio's absence is another setback for the European giants who are currently leading the world ranking. Spain will also be without guard Lorenzo Brown due to injury.

Rubio had been sidelined with a torn ACL - the second of his stellar career - for about a year before rejoining the Cavaliers in the middle of last season. The Catalan averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 assists in the remaining 33 games of the 2022/23 season.