Panathinaikos Offers Contract to Spanish Basketball Legend Ricky Rubio

The Greek club has made an offer to the veteran Spanish point guard, who has requested a week to consider his future after a season back at Joventut.

Athens, Greece – June 30, 2026: Ricky Rubio, one of the most decorated players in Spanish basketball history, is considering a return to the EuroLeague. Panathinaikos has offered the veteran point guard a contract for the upcoming season, and the Spanish international has requested seven days to make a decision on his future.

According to reports, Rubio has already held discussions with Panathinaikos head coach Željko Obradović, one of the most successful coaches in European basketball history. The conversation between the two is said to have been positive, though Rubio has asked for time to evaluate the offer carefully before committing.

The 35-year-old point guard spent the 2025-26 season with Joventut Badalona, the club where he began his professional career nearly two decades ago. His return to the Catalan side was seen as a homecoming, a chance to conclude his career where it started. However, the prospect of a new challenge in Athens appears to have captured his attention.

Rubio's career has been nothing short of extraordinary. After emerging as a teenage prodigy at Joventut, he moved to Barcelona, where he won multiple Liga ACB and EuroLeague titles. In 2011, he made the leap to the NBA, spending twelve seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. His arrival in the NBA was met with great anticipation, and while injuries prevented him from fully realising his potential in the United States, he remained a respected figure throughout his time in the league.

His greatest achievements, however, have come with the Spanish national team. Rubio was a key figure in Spain's golden generation, winning the 2019 FIBA World Cup and being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. He also won multiple EuroBasket titles and Olympic medals. His court vision, defensive intelligence, and unselfish play have made him a favourite among coaches and teammates alike.

A move to Panathinaikos would represent a significant addition for the Greek club, which has been rebuilding its roster with an eye on returning to the top of European basketball. Obradović, who has won nine EuroLeague titles, is known for his ability to extract the best from veteran players, and the combination of his tactical expertise with Rubio's experience could prove formidable.

For now, the ball is in Rubio's court. The Spanish legend has a week to decide whether to accept the challenge of the Greek capital or to continue his career in familiar surroundings. Whatever decision he makes, it will mark another chapter in a career that has already secured his place in the history of Spanish basketball.