Spain's head coach Sergio Scariolo exclusive: “We have to respect what Ricky (Rubio) feels”
Coach Scariolo told Olympics.com Podcast that he and the team are throwing their arms around the NBA superstar as they prepare for an “extremely difficult” world title defence campaign at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup beginning later this month.
Basketball
Spain basketball head coach Sergio Scariolo said he and the team are leaning now more than ever into their culture of ‘La Familia’ as they plough on with their preparations for the Basketball World Cup without Ricky Rubio.
On the weekend, the world No.1 side was rocked by the news that the 2019 Word Cup Most Valuable Player would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from basketball, citing his mental health as the cause.
“I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health,” the 32-year-old wrote in a statement shared by the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB).
“I want to thank all the support I have received from the FEB to understand my decision. Today #LaFamilia makes more sense than ever. Thank you.”
Speaking to the Olympics.com Podcast, going live on Wednesday (9 August), Scariolo said the news of Rubio's struggles weighed heavily on the whole team.
“You have to respect what Ricky feels,” the coach said. “We feel a little bad because we didn’t really realise, and understand, how much Ricky was struggling with his comeback after his injury.
“I mean, physically, it was good. Of course, He was quite oxidated with the dust to shake off his body after so many months without playing. We were absolutely happy to wait for him. We know how important Ricky is. Ricky is a game changer and he’s a team changer. So, we were absolutely ready and happy to wait for him.
“Unfortunately, he felt a little overwhelmed from several personal and basketball situations which he has had to carry on his shoulders during the last few years. And it felt like he was farther away from the level he would like himself to see.”
Cleveland Cavaliers' Rubio came back to the NBA mid-season this year after spending the past two years recovering from a torn left anterior cruciate ligament – the second of his career. He returned to the Cavs primarily as a bench player for the last 33 games of the season.
Eager still to keep Rubio in the squad, Scariolo said the player was given the time and space to find his level, but ultimately, he determined that the break was necessary.
“At the end of the day, when somebody in your family makes a decision, you can’t spend time and energies putting pressure on him or make him change that decision. You’ve got to support him and make sure you are next to him if he needs you.”
Sergio Scariolo: Spain face "extremely difficult" 2023 Basketball World Cup
Without the World Cup’s all-time assists leader on their side, Scariolo made no bones about the fact defending their title will be a tall order for Spain.
The reigning champs will begin their campaign in a Group G alongside the Islamic Republic of Iran, Cote d’Ivoire and Brazil, the latter who Scariolo cited as “a very tough opponent”.
But it isn’t the opening games that have the coach concerned.
The next bracket of competition means the Spaniards could face Tokyo 2020 silver medallists France, a stacked Canadian roster and dark horses Latvia.
“There are many teams who can [win] and then the bracket is what it is. Sometimes you feel like a side of the bracket is stronger than the other side,” Scariolo conceded.
“We foresee joining the second phase where we’ll probably go to play against France, Canada and then Latvia. France and Canada are way above in the predictions and Latvia, in my opinion, can be really the underdog who can really upset and overachieve.
“So, we know that the second phase, the second group, is extremely challenging on paper. I won’t say impossible because nothing is impossible in sport, but extremely, extremely difficult.”
The 2023 FIBA World Cup, as well as crowning a world champion, will also produce seven directly qualified national teams for the Olympic Games, with hosts France receiving automatic qualification for the event.
Spain must finish as one of the top two teams from Europe if they hope to earn their ticket to the Games at the first possible junction.