Scariolo refers to Rubio's withdrawal, highlights Spain's main problem / News - Basketnews.com

Sergio Scariolo weighed in on Ricky Rubio's decision to quit basketball for some time and pointed to Spain's problems in the ball-handling department.

Credit: AFP PHOTO / DANIEL MIHAILESCU Credit AFP PHOTO / DANIEL MIHAILESCU

After facing Venezuela last Friday in Madrid, Spain NT resumed practices this Monday, this time in Fuengirola (Malaga).

However, an important development had taken place during the weekend, since Ricky Rubio announced he'll be taking some time off basketball to take care of his mental health. Coach Sergio Scariolo, one of the first to publicly offer his support to the player via social media, said that the veteran guard is dealing "with a very personal issue."

"We must be as close as we can to encourage and support him," he added. "He is not just a player on this team, he is like a nephew to me. Now the important thing is to leave him in his privacy and wait for a time when he has the energy to enjoy basketball again."

Next to him, captain Rudy Fernandez, 38, said he was annoyed for not realizing the situation "to be with him at that moment when he needed us so much."

"Ricky is working on his well-being right now and we have 16 players who are going to give 100% and deserve the same respect," he pointed out.

Juan Nunez, fresh off an excellent season with German champs Ratiopharm Ulm, suited up against Venezuela. Based on how things stand right now, his chances of making the 12-man squad are high. Spain is currently counting on 16 players, of which Scariolo will cut four.

Rudy Fernandez Victor Claver Sergio Llull Willy Hernangomez Juancho Hernangomez Alex Abrines Sebas Saiz Jaime Fernandez Dario Brizuela Joel Parra Alberto Diaz Usman Garuba Alberto Abalde Juan Nunez Jaime Pradilla Santi Aldama.

The Italian tactician clarified that there's no room for further additions right now, while assuring that he must have confidence in the players who are in training camp.

"We have incorporated Juan Nunez and we have other players who can play in that position. But it's not so much a question of role, we have to generate a little more play, because we have an obvious deficit in handling the ball and we have to look for formulas to generate advantages.

We also have to increase the level of defense to force turnovers from the opponents to be able to run the court. There are no magic formulas. It is an emergency situation, complicated and we have to do what is in our hands," he commented.

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