NBA veteran Ricky Rubio reveals suicidal thoughts and imposter syndrome during peak of career
veteran known for his quiet presence on the field, has revealed a painful truth that fans never saw. In a recent Spanish interview, the former point guard admitted to having suicidal thoughts and fights against Imposter syndrome even during their proudest career moments.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Behind the cheers and bright lights, Rubio's inner battle paints a shocking picture of silent suffering, reminding everyone how hidden mental health struggles can be even for champions.
Ricky Rubio shares how he struggled during the 2023 World Cup
In a recent interview on a Spanish show called Lo de Evolve, Ricky Rubio spoke about what he went through in 2023. He said one night during the World Cup, he felt like giving up on everything.
'I didn't want to go on,' he said. 'Not just with basketball, but with life.'
Rubio explained that everything felt heavy. He said it was difficult to find meaning in anything. At that time he had taken a break from playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later that season, he resigned from the NBA.
He said he had to go away to take care of his mental health.
Ricky Rubio says he felt like a fraud even when he won big
Rubio also talked about the 2019 World Cup. He helped Spain win and was named MVP. But even then, he didn't feel proud.
He said, 'I would get an award and think, 'I don't deserve this.'
Rubio started playing pro basketball in Spain when he was just 14. He entered the NBA in 2012 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also played for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA veteran Ricky Rubio reveals suicidal thoughts and imposter syndrome during peak of career (Image Source: Getty Images)
He had two serious knee injuries, one in 2012 and another in 2021. He also dealt with ankle and hip problems for years. These injuries kept him from playing full seasons.
Early in his NBA career, he once told a reporter that he was having trouble sleeping. After that, an older player from another team warned him: 'Don't tell the media your weak spots. We're all sharks. If we smell blood, we'll go after you.'
Also Read:
Rubio ended his career with good stats: 10.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. But now we know, behind those numbers, was a man who was hurting inside.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
38 minutes ago
- News18
'Resigned In April, But AIFF Asked Me To Stay Till June': Manolo Marquez Reveals Reasons Behind Departure
Last Updated: Former India football coach Manolo Marquez resigned in April, but the AIFF convinced him to stay until June. He led India in eight matches with only one win. Former India men's football head coach Manolo Marquez has revealed that he initially submitted his resignation in April, but the All India Football Federation (AIFF) persuaded him to extend his tenure for a few more months. The Spaniard took over the national team following the abrupt departure of Igor Stimac in early 2024. Marquez led India in eight matches during his brief stint, managing only one victory—a 3-0 win over the Maldives in a friendly encounter. His tenure came to an abrupt end after the AIFF Executive Committee, during its meeting in the national capital, agreed to relieve Marquez, despite having a year left in his contract. But, it has now been revealed by Marquez himself, that he desired to leave much earlier. 'I resigned in April, but they asked me to do it in the June window. They tried to convince me for a month to continue at the head of the Indian national team," Marquez said in an interview with Spanish outlet Marca. Marquez's exit came after India's underwhelming start to the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Blue Tigers were held to a draw against Bangladesh in their opening game and suffered a last-minute 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong, thereby putting both the coach and the team under immense scrutiny. Despite the disappointing outcomes, Marquez emphasized that the poor results weren't the sole reason for his departure. 'I didn't want to leave because of the bad results. In fact, they tried to convince me for a month to continue. It seems that they have now accepted my initial decision," he added. 'Coaching the Indian national team was the dream of my life. But when you see that all teams do not play by the same rules, you feel that this is not your place." 'I admit that I have done things wrong, but if the results had improved, I would probably still be in office," he explained. Marquez first arrived in India ahead of the 2020–21 Indian Super League (ISL) season to take charge of Hyderabad FC, and under his leadership, they clinched the ISL title in 2022. Following his success with Hyderabad, Marquez took over as head coach of FC Goa, eventually leading them to a Super Cup, while also managing the national side in a dual role since early 2024.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
In Pics: Meet 24-year-old Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma, who can give Bollywood actors a run for their money
He came for the runs and stayed for the hearts. India's cricketing scene has a long history of charming crowd-pullers, though few have exploded onto the scene with as much flair and fanfare as Abhishek Sharma. Once known purely for his skill with the bat, the 24-year-old now finds himself in the rare bracket of sporting celebrities who can give Bollywood's finest a run for their money. With record-breaking knocks, cheeky on-field comebacks, and a social media game on point, Abhishek is quickly becoming the face of India's next generation of sports icons. Abhishek Sharma: How he became SRH's powerhouse Abhishek Sharma's cricket journey began in Amritsar, where his father, a coach himself, trained him. He dominated the Vijay Merchant Under-16 tournament in 2015-16 with 1200 runs, then captained India to a U-19 Asia Cup win. IPL scouts took notice, and in 2018, the Delhi Daredevils signed him a week before India's U-19 World Cup victory. He debuted with a bang—46 off 19 balls—but it was with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he moved in 2019, that he truly took flight. In IPL 2024, promoted as opener by Pat Cummins, he smashed 484 runs, including a record-breaking 63 off 23 in a 277-run team total. The fireworks continued in IPL 2025, where his 141 off 55 against Punjab Kings became the third-highest individual score in IPL history. He has since made a successful transition to the international stage, scoring a T20I century on debut against Zimbabwe. Charisma beyond the cricket Abhishek Sharma isn't just batting averages and blistering knocks, he's a bona fide heartthrob, with a popularity that rivals that of movie stars. With multiple charming (and now viral) Instagram posts, the All-rounder often has fangirls flooding the comments with heart emojis and love. According to OneCricket, even male fans can't get enough—cheering his every move on and off the pitch. That charm has also sparked dating rumors with fashion designer Laila Faisal, adding more spice to the stardom. His mock reply to Divesh Rathi's 'notebook sendoff' had social media crowning the move the 'coldest replies of the season,' per India Times. At 24, Abhishek Sharma is not just rewriting T20 records; he's rewriting what it means to be a cricket superstar.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NBA Summer League: How and when to watch Dallas Mavericks' No 1 pick Cooper Flagg's NBA debut game?
How and when to watch Dallas Mavericks' No 1 pick Cooper Flagg's NBA debut game? (Image Credit: Getty Images) The Dallas Mavericks announced their Summer League roster for the 2025 season. Everyone wants to know when the NBA 2025 draft's No.1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, will make his debut. The wait for his debut game date is finally over. The Dallas Mavericks' top pick will play his first NBA game on July 10. The game can be attended live in person. It will also be available on TV and streaming applications. The game is much anticipated for various reasons. It will be Cooper Flagg's direct contest with the Los Angeles Lakers rising star and LeBron James' son, Bronny James. The two promising players giving their best shot are sure to create fireworks on the court. How and when to watch Cooper Flagg's NBA debut game? Here's how to watch Cooper Flagg for the first game in a Mavs jersey Cooper Flagg was the top prospect and the Dallas Mavericks' no. 1 pick. The talented player will make his NBA debut and showcase his skills this month on July 10. Those who want to catch the action live on TV can tune in to ESPN at 8 PM EST. All ESPN platforms, such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ and ESPN3 will cover these games. Viewers can also enjoy a cable-free viewing by watching the game on OTT apps. The game is available on streaming applications, such as: ESPN App NBA TV YouTube TV Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) Fubo TV Hulu + Live TV + NBA Add-on NBA Summer League schedule announced (Image Source: NBA) International viewers can make use of the NBA League Pass. It offers live coverage and on-demand viewing support to viewers outside the USA. NBA fans who want to attend Cooper Flagg's game in person can visit UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center. The tickets for the Summer League games are available via Summer League Tickets. Other important Cooper Flagg games in this NBA Summer League After the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks will have San Antonio on the opponent side. The San Antonio Spurs will meet the Los Angeles Lakers on July 12. The game is another newsmaker because it will bring top pick Cooper Flagg and No.2 pick Dylan Harper face-to-face on the court. Dylan Harper, the guard from Rutgers, was picked by San Antonio at No. 2 after the Dallas Mavericks exercised their draft selection. The Dallas Mavericks' next game is on July 14. They will play against the Charlotte Hornets. Cooper Flagg will again be the highlight of the game as he reunites with his former teammates, Liam McNeeley and Kon Kneuppel. The Dallas Mavericks will play their final Summer League game on July 16 against the Philadelphia 76ers. The important players of this game are Cooper Flagg from the Dallas Mavericks and VJ Edgecombe, the No.3 overall pick, and Johni Broome, the Naismith Player of the Year finalist, from the Philadelphia 76ers. These games will also be aired on ESPN at 8 pm EST. Also Read: Cooper Flagg's NBA journey heats up as his shocking doppelganger grabs headlines before hitting court Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
