Ricky Rubio takes mental health break ahead of 2023 FIBA World Cup

Defending champions Spain will be without Ricky Rubio in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, as he's taking a break from basketball to prioritize his mental health.

In an announcement through the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), Rubio expressed his gratitude to everyone who have helped him throughout his ordeal. He will pause his career and tend to his mental health ahead of the World Cup and the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season.

"I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health," Rubio said. "I want to thank all the support I have received from the FEB to understand my decision.

"Today La Familia 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." (h/t EuroHoops)

Ricky Rubio was supposed to be one of Spain's main players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The defending champions are looking to repeat but will need to do so without the 12-year NBA veteran.

Rubio was named the World Cup MVP in 2019 when the tournament was held in China. Spain beat Poland in the quarterfinals, Australia in the semifinals and Argentina in the final.

The 32-year-old veteran point guard is coming off his worst season in the NBA, averaging 5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 33 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He returned to Cleveland in free agency but only played from January due to his recovery from a torn left ACL.

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Ricky Rubio's FIBA World Cup career

Ricky Rubio (second, right) won the World Cup MVP trophy in 2019.

Ricky Rubio started his FIBA World Cup career in 2010 when Spain was ousted by Serbia in the quarterfinals. Rubio averaged just 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

The El Masnou, Spain, native was slightly better in 2014 averaging 5.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.1 apg and 3.6 spg. However, Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals once again, this time by Serbia.

Rubio turned the corner in 2019 as he led Spain to their second FIBA World Cup championship. He was named the tournament's MVP after averaging 16.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.0 apg and 1.5 spg. He also became the all-time assists leader in the World Cup in 2019.

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