The return of Ricky Rubio, as well as the presence of 9 European Champions and 6 Golden Boys, marks the call of Sergio Scariolo to La Ventana.

COMMUNICATION ZONE FEB.

Sergio Scariolo, national coach, and Elisa Aguilar, president of FEB, announced on Tuesday at MadridLab, the laboratory and headquarters of Moderna España (official partner of FEB), the 14 players called up to participate in the first qualifying window of the next EuroBasket. 2025: Apart from captain Rudy Fernandez and the nine reigning European champions, the focus is on the return of Ricky Rubio following his recent return to training. Also invited were six players from the training squads, a group of promising young players who will complete the concentration and strengthen the training of the Absolute team based on the Golden Boys 2.0 initiative launched by FEB.

The media was welcomed by Juan Carlos Gil, CEO of Moderna, host of the event and official partner of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the Spanish national basketball team since 2023.

Sergio Scariolo: “It’s great news that we have players from Euroleague teams”

The coach began by stating that “Every call-up is a special occasion where I can enjoy playing for the national team again. I’m really looking forward to it after months away from the training field and because the level of the opponents is very demanding.” It’s a special challenge because there will be six players there that we’re working with in the future.”

Scariolo added that “The second reason is that we were able to count on Euroleague players due to the break in competitions, and this is good news. “We have given priority to players who have little playing time in their teams to see them in the summer.”. He also pointed to some absences due to physical problems from players such as Juan Nunez, Alex Abrines, Lorenzo Brown, Sergi Llull and Willy Hernangomez.

Elisa Aguilar: “We are very happy that Ricky Rubio is wearing the national team jersey again”


FEB President Elisa Aguilar assured that “It is a great honor for me to live such a day as President of the Federation, one day after returning to the Games with qualification.” Regarding the list, he emphasized that he will be captain again.”for a player who is another example of dedication to the national team, and Rudi Fernandez wanted to help in Zaragoza and Belgium.”

Aguilar added that “There are players around the captain who have given a lot to the national team, but it is the inclusion of Ricky Rubio that takes it beyond the sport and is great news for the world of sports. The fact that he is back with us today makes us very happy.”

. Finally, he noted that “At the head of this process of sportsmanship, we could not have found anyone better than Sergio Scariolo.”

14 players called up:
· Alberto Abalde (Real Madrid), 22 internationals
· Carlos Alocene (Real Madrid), 6 England players
· Dario Brizuela (Barça), 48 national team players
· Victor Claver (“Valencia Basket”), 167 national team players.
· Alberto Diaz (Unicaja), 34 countries
· Jaime Fernandez (Lenovo Tenerife), 43 countries
· Rudy Fernandez (Real Madrid), 255 national team players
· Juancho Hernangomez (Panathinaikos), 62 world players
· Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (“Valencia Basket”), 36 national team players.
· Joel Parra (Barça), 35 national team players
· Jaime Pradilla (“Valencia Basket”), 23 national team players
· Ricky Rubio (Barça), 157 national team players
· Sebas Saiz (Alvark Tokyo), 44 countries
· Yankuba Sima (Unicaja), 10 countries

Six invited players:
· Sergio De Larrea (CB L’Horta Godella)
· Hugo Gonzalez (Real Madrid)
· Eli John Ndiaye (Real Madrid)
· Lucas Langarita (Casademont Zaragoza)
· Jordi Rodriguez (Joventut Badalona)
· Mario Saint-Superi (Uret Tizona Burgos Group)

For our part, together with Jose Ignacio Hernandez (FEV sports director) and Carlos Jimenez (group manager), selector Sergio Scariolo will lead the following coaching staff:
· Manolo Aller (assistant coach)
· Save camps (assistant coach)
· Victor Garcia (assistant coach)
· Louis Gil (assistant coach)
· Jorge Lorenzo (assistant coach)
· Angel Sanchez-Cañete (assistant coach)
· Joaquin Prado (assistant coach)
· Carlos Salas (doctor)
· Javier Hernandez (physical trainer)
· Enrique Salinas (physical trainer)
· Daniel Hernandez (physical trainer)
· David Urbano (physiotherapist)
· Jordan Sospedra (physiotherapist)
· Jose Antonio Fernandez (physiotherapist)
· Mary Queen (Performance area)
· Javier Cabreriso (delegate)
· David Ortega (delegate)

The Spanish delegation will meet in Zaragoza next Monday, February 19, to prepare the first qualifying window for the next EuroBasket 2025. The reigning European champions are looking to get off to a strong start in the qualifying round, the six-day group stage of the European Championship. In Group C, Spain will face Latvia, Belgium and Slovakia. In addition to Latvia, as a co-organizer, the first two players in the group will receive tickets to EuroBasket 2025.

To get there, #LaFamilia will begin its journey by meeting Latvia next Thursday, February 22 (20:00) at the Príncipe Felipe Pavilion in Zaragoza. Following their home opener, Spain will play the second day against Belgium on Sunday 25 February (5.30pm) in Charleroi. The qualifying stage will end in the coming months – November 2024 and February 2025.