RIGA (Latvia) - Rudy Fernandez will have a different outlook on the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 than past editions.
The four-time champion this summer will watch the games for the first time as a retired player - though still involved as the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Ambassador.
"It’s a great honor," Fernandez said at the draw for this summer's flagship event.
"Being part of EuroBasket after retiring means a lot to me. I want to continue enjoying basketball, and it's great to share the experience with my family."
The 39-year-old Fernandez, who appeared in seven EuroBasket tournaments and hoisted the trophy in 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2022, made his first official appearance in his role as Ambassador at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Draw.
"EuroBasket is special because you have a lot of great teams competing. Anyone can beat anyone and it's a unique experience. I have many memories from these kinds of tournaments as a player," said Fernandez, who made his competition debut in 2005 as a 20-year-old.
"Now I just want to enjoy it from a different point of view, getting the chance to watch a lot of my former teammates play with the family by my side."
Fernandez retired from basketball in 2024 after also playing in six Olympics and five FIBA Basketball World Cups, lifting the Naismith Trophy twice. But it's the EuroBasket where he's made the biggest mark.
"I remember facing teams like France, Greece and Lithuania. There are so many great teams, and competing against them was special. It’s always a great opportunity to play against the best in Europe," Fernandez remembered.
His favorite triumph?
"It’s difficult to choose one. Each of them is special, but probably the last one in 2022. It was unexpected, with young players who hadn't had experience in that kind of tournament."
"European basketball is at the top right now."
Fernandez left the game with plenty of hardware to fill his trophy case. But he struggled to define the exact reason behind Spain's long-lasting success.
"It's probably the compromise, the sacrifice for the team. To put on the jersey and to represent your country is a privilege and I enjoyed making something happen," he said.
With Fernandez now on the sidelines retired, the throne is empty for Europe's next generation of stars to make their legacy. And the continent is in great hands with the rise of players such as Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama.
"European basketball is at the top right now. Just look at the last NBA MVPs and the performances in the World Cup - it's unbelievable. European basketball is one of the best, and I’m excited to enjoy this tournament as a fan," he said.
With so many Europeans dominating in the NBA, Fernandez believes the fight for the EuroBasket 2025 trophy will be fun to watch. And there are a number of teams who will challenge to hoist the trophy on September 14 in Riga.
"It’s hard to say who the favorites are. I didn't expect us to win the trophy in 2022, so it just shows it's impossible to predict. But from the last tournaments, I would say Serbia, Germany, Greece, and France are at the top. Spain always compete, and Slovenia with Luka are also strong. There are too many teams to choose from, but we will definitely enjoy the basketball," he said.
After so many years of battling against the best of the continent, Fernandez now gets a front row seat as a spectator - and as an Ambassador excited to still be involved in the game.
FIBA