Ricky Rubio will play in the NBA after all.

The 6ft, 4, 190 pound flashy guard is a no-look passer known for his dribbling and ball-handling ability and is expected to report to the Minnesota Timberwolves by next season. The Wolves actually drafted Rubio No. 5 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft and have been waiting patiently for him to jump the Atlantic to an NBA court.

According to sources, Rubio has remained playing in Europe since that draft due to there being a $6 million buyout attached to his contract in Barcelona, Spain. Regardless of that, shortly after the draft, Timberwolves GM David Kahn thought the 18-year-old Rubio was being pressured by his hometown media, fans and teammates to remain in Spain.

Rubio started playing pro ball in the Spanish League when he was just 14 years old. Another NBA player, Zaza Pachulia of the Atlanta Hawks accomplished a similar feat when he started on a Turkey pro team when he was 15 years old.

Rubio may be remembered by fans in the United States for his appearance in the Gold Medal game in the 2008 Olympics when his Spain team lost to the United States. L.A. Lakers star Pau Gasol and Rubio did leave that tournament with an Olympic Silver Medal.

Now that it’s been officially announced, you have to wonder how much pressure will remain on the youngster who is coming off a season where he actually lost his starting job and contributed just 6.5 point per game.

Minnesota finished in the cellar of the NBA with a 17-65 record only winning .207 of their games.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC