In the last 20 or 30 years the NBA has become a competition increasingly open to foreign players. The difference between the game played in America and the rest of the world has narrowed considerably.

Nowadays, any significant NBA roster includes at least one player from outside the States. has at least, With that in mind I want to tell you about  two young players still unknown in America but already important in Europe -  Rudy Fernández, a 1.96m shooting guard, and Ricky Rubio, a 1.9m point guard both playing for the Joventut Badalona in the Spanish ACB league (12-5) and the ULEB Cup (7-1).

Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernández Farrés was born in Mallorca and as a child moved to Badalona to join to one of the best sources of basketball in Spain. He made his debut with the Joventut senior team in 2001-02 at the age of 17 playing in the ACB league and the corresponding European competitions. He won the 2006 FIBA Eurocup final MVP award, the 2005 Catalonian League (against Barcelona), and was MVP of the 2004 Spanish Cup final.

'He [Rubio] doesn't have just one particular strength but does everything very well and reads the game in a sensational way for his age'


He joined the Senior National team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, won a 2006 FIBA World Cup m,edal in Japan and was sub champ in the 2007 FIBA Eurobasket (Spain). Drafted for NBA rights the past year, he was elected by the Phoenix Suns in 24th position and immediately traded to Portland. At the moment he has a contract with Joventut that could finish next summer.

In Portland he will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, but he wikll be taking with hnim an impressive stack of figures. Rudy ranks 1st in ACB in points with 19.2 per game, 1st in 3-pointers (2.79 shooting 40%), 2nd in efficiency (23.4), 3rd in free throws made per game (4,71 and 97%), 5th in assists with 4.46, 4th in steals (2.0), and 8th in fouls received (5.14) in 28 minutes. In ULEB Cup he ranks 20th in efficiency.

Rudy´s game shows great plasticity and is spectacular for the fans who will enjoy the show-time. He is  intelligent and has an intense competitive spirit. In my opinion his only weakness is his light body. Probably he will have to 'bulk up' his weight in order to make his mark in the NBA, but at the same time he should be try to avoid slowing down his game.

Ricardo “Ricky” Rubio Vives was born in Barcelona. He may not be as well known as Rudy, but the 17-yeqar-old is certainly well known among basketball scouts. He was the youngest player ever to make his debut in the ACB league at the age of 14 years, 11 months and 24 days in 2005. He has played in the young sections of the Spanish National team and coach Pepú Hernández could call him into the senior squad for the Beijing Olympics.

He has won the FIBA Eurocup with his club and the 2006 Cadets European Championship in Spain. He was the MVP of the competition and the final, leading almost every statistical classification. In the final against Russia he made 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and 7 steals in a two extra-period game, the first one won with a three-pointer by Rubio in the last seconds.

He has been likened to Larry Bird. He is blessed with talent and determination. He doesn't have just one particular strength but does everything very well and reads the game in a sensational way for his age. He can pass the ball, organize the offense, divide the zone, etc. In addition he shoots from long range, helps in the rebounding, and steals the ball.

His numbers are really good for a 17-year-old in a professional league, averaging 12.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists (ranked 9th) and 2.44 steals (ranked 1st) in 24 minutes per game (7th in ACB efficiency). He ranks 2nd in free-throws made per game (4.88) shooting 80%.

His has a shy nature despite his success. He has a great body for his age and physically he does not need to work that much. The main aspect to improve during his career should be his long range shooting. If he can do that we could be watching one of the best players in the history of the game.