Returning Rubio reinforces squad of defending world champions Spain

MADRID (Spain) - The 2019 tournament MVP Ricky Rubio, two-time world champion Rudy Fernandez and FIBA EuroBasket 2022 stars, brothers Willy and Juancho Hernangomez, are headline names in the 16-man Spain squad for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Spain rank first in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.

"All of the players have a long journey with us and helping us achieve something legendary," said Spain coach Sergio Scariolo at the press conference announcing the selections.

Another addition that adds quality to the front-court options for coach Sergio Scariolo is Santi Aldama, a star in Spain's youth teams.

"We have a lot of expectations with Aldama, a newcomer," said Scarliolo. "He is a very important newcomer. Don't expect anything else different from his teammates. He grew up in the youth teams and we hope he will be with us for many years."

The power forward, who just completed his second season in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, was the MVP of the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2019.

Rubio, unable to play last summer while recovering from a torn ACL as Spain marched to a fourth EuroBasket title since 2009, will have a pivotal role again, especially since his replacement in the 2022 team, EuroBasket All-Star Five selection Lorenzo Brown, is on the mend from an injury that plagued him all season and isn't available.

"Lorenzo is an awesome player," said Scarliolo. "It's a big loss for us on the court and, as part of the group, he was a force for us. We will miss him, but life goes on. We tried to build the plan all year thinking how would it be to play with such great ball handlers like Lorenzo and Ricky."

"Ricky - he had a very short season. Ricky is one of the biggest names ever in this team with an enormous commitment and has been working hard to be with us. The feeling and vibes we get from him and his camp is great. We know who he is and how he impacts his teammates."

Spain are not short of talent and experience, with multiple champions in the squad.

Center Willy Hernangomez was the EuroBasket 2022 MVP and Juancho the MVP of the Final triumph over France.

"Juancho is a pillar for us, dedicated, and talented," Scariolo said. "He might have to work harder the first days but he is a big part of us. I don't have any doubts about him."

Juancho and Willy were World Cup winners in 2019, along with captain Fernandez, one of the most decorated players in the history of international basketball.

In addition to winning the 2006 and 2019 World Cups, Fernandez was an integral part of the Spain teams that prevailed at the FIBA EuroBasket in 2009, 2011, 2015, and last summer in 2022.

He was also in Spain teams that reached the Finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Games, and claimed bronze at the 2016 Rio Games.

Another member of the 2019 World Cup-winning team, Sergio Llull, is back. Llull was poised to feature at EuroBasket 2022 but got hurt late in the preparations. Llull was in the first three EuroBasket winning sides, the team that played in the 2012 Olympic Final and the side at the Rio Games four years later.

There are 10 players in all from last year's EuroBasket winning team included in the 16-man squad. They are Alberto Diaz, hailed as one of the top defenders in the tournament, Dario Brizuela, Jaime Fernandez, Usman Garuba, Joel Parra, Jaime Pradilla, Sebas Saiz, Rudy Fernandez and the Hernangomez brothers.

Alex Abrines, Victor Claver, and Alberto Abalde, who last played for Spain at the Tokyo Olympics, are in the squad.

Claver is the most decorated player in that trio, having celebrated titles at the EuroBasket in 2009, 2011 and 2015, and the 2019 World Cup. He was also in the Spain squad that reached the 2012 Olympic Final.

"Claver is part of us and is very valid for us," Scariolo said. "[Will he be] in the final 12? It's very early to tell but he explicitly wanted to be here and he is a great asset."

Spain will play in Group G of the World Cup, in Jakarta, against Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire and Iran.

"We know there are some teams with more physical talents," Scariolo said. "We have to be able to perform again as a team knowing we have to play our best against very deeply talented teams. Our strength as a team will help us close the gap against others."

FIBA