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Rubio leaves Minnesota: ‘Maybe it wasn’t meant to be’

FILe - In ttis June 21, 2011, file photo, Ricky Rubio of Spain, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2009 first round draft pick, meets the media during an introductory basketball news conference in Minneapolis. After six years in Minnesota, Ricky Rubio is saying goodbye. The seemingly endless rumors finally came to fruition when he was traded to the Utah Jazz last week. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
FILe - In ttis June 21, 2011, file photo, Ricky Rubio of Spain, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2009 first round draft pick, meets the media during an introductory basketball news conference in Minneapolis. After six years in Minnesota, Ricky Rubio is saying goodbye. The seemingly endless rumors finally came to fruition when he was traded to the Utah Jazz last week. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) FILe - In ttis June 21, 2011, file photo, Ricky Rubio of Spain, the Minnesota Timberwolves 2009 first round draft pick, meets the media during an introductory basketball news conference in Minneapolis. After six years in Minnesota, Ricky Rubio is saying goodbye. The seemingly endless rumors finally came to fruition when he was traded to the Utah Jazz last week. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

By Associated Press 5 min read

The rumors finally became reality for Ricky Rubio. Now the Spanish point guard has gone from wondering where he fits in with the Minnesota Timberwolves to being a central figure in the Utah Jazz’s efforts to retain Gordon Hayward.

“It makes me feel special. It makes me feel like they want me here,” Rubio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “I’m a loyal guy, so I’m going to try to do my best to help them reach our goal, which is a championship one day.”

The Jazz acquired Rubio in a trade last week just before the start of free agency, bringing to an end a six-season run in Minnesota.

“I’m always going to be attached to that city because I made friends and family there,” Rubio said. “With the team, we went through some rough times. I remember my rookie year and all of the excitement. I was really, really happy to make my dream come true. They gave me a chance.”

Rubio was a wide-eyed teenager when he was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2009, and still had no idea what he was getting into when he left Spain for Minnesota in 2011.