It was known to all and the words of love from his coach Sergio Scariolo, after his last match at the Olympic Games, had unofficially confirmed things. It is now a done deal. Rudy Fernandez made his retirement official, via a short message and a video on X/Twitter.
“This video marks the end of an incredible journey, one I never thought I would experience until I was 39 years old as a professional basketball player,” he wrote. “I retire with the feeling of having been a player involved in every team or club where I played. I never dreamed of flying so fast, so high and competing with the one in front of me but now I have to build a new path and be more than ever with my family. But I will continue to enjoy this wonderful sport, forever. Thank you all for flying alongside me.
A legend of European basketball
Rudy Fernandez will remain a legend of his sport in Europe. He is the most capped player in Iberian basketball (266 matches), has played in the Olympic Games six times (a record) and won two world championship titles (2006 and 2019), four European championship titles (2009, 2011, 2015 and 2022) and two Olympic silver medals (2008 and 2012).
Not to mention, at club level, seven Spanish championship titles and three Euroleague titles with Real Madrid. As well as a four-season stint in the NBA, between 2008 and 2012, for 249 matches played in Portland and Denver and an average of 9.1 points.
This video ended an incredible journey, a journey that neither many men thought of living until 39 years ago as a professional player from BALONCESTO.
I RETIRO with the feeling of having if a player compromises with each team of the club in which he is established.
Never dreamed of flying so much… pic.twitter.com/iDcQLhUJOt— Rudy Fernandez (@rudy5fernandez) August 16, 2024
| Rudy Fernandez | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2008-09 | POR | 78 | 26 | 42.5 | 39.9 | 83.9 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 10.5 |
| 2009-10 | POR | 62 | 23 | 37.8 | 36.8 | 86.7 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 8.1 |
| 2010-11 | POR | 78 | 23 | 37.0 | 32.1 | 86.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 8.6 |
| 2011-12 | DEN | 31 | 23 | 44.0 | 32.8 | 69.8 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
| Total | 249 | 24 | 39.9 | 36.0 | 84.0 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 9.1 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
