Former Utah Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio got Spain off to a winning start during the first day of action from the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The group phase of this year’s FIBA World Cup of Basketball officially tipped off in China on Saturday. And while Utah Jazz favorites Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles won’t hit the hardwood until Sunday, there were at least two games of note on the docket for the Utah faithful.
First and foremost, former Jazz point-man Ricky Rubio and Spain were in action in Group C with their opening bout against big man Salah Mejri and Tunisia.
The contest almost appeared to be in doubt early, but, ultimately, the Spanish side won going away in a 101-62 laugher. However, Rubio’s performance was nothing to chuckle at.
In 21 minutes of play, he put up a game-high 17 points and added nine assists and two steals. Rubio’s offense was on-point all night, as he hit on 6-of-11 shots from the field and knocked down 3-of-7 from 3-point range.
Team Spain outscored the opposition by 26 points when he was on the floor.
Although he’s got some firepower at his side in Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Juan Hernangomez, Willy Hernangomez and Sergio Lull, Rubio’s continued production will be crucial to a Spanish squad that is without the services of Pau Gasol, Sergio Rodriguez and Nikola Mirotic.
After one half of play in their opening contest, Spain led by just three points; I would never say a 39-point win would have gone the opposite way had one particular player struggled, but Rubio definitely ignited his team in the second half with his performance after it got off to a lackadaisical start.
That said, they shouldn’t have any issues during the group stage.
The other game of interest in Jazzland was Russia’s bout with Nigeria. No Jazz alums suited up in the game, but Jazz legend Andrei Kirilenko is the president of Russian basketball and has been charged with rebuilding the national program in his home country.
In Game 1, the Russians captured a five-point win over a Nigerian team featuring NBA guys Al-Farouq Aminu and Josh Okogie.
Russia’s biggest challenge in Group B will likely come from Luis Scola and Argentina, who remain a top-five team in the FIBA rankings despite the retirement of Manu Ginobili.
On Day 2 (Sunday), Mitchell and Team USA will tip things off against the Czech Republic in Group E at 6:30 AM MT. At the same time, Gobert will lead a talented French squad into battle against Germany in Group G. Ingles and the Aussie Boomers will begin play in Group H with Canada at 1:30 AM MT.