Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers has known Ricky Rubio for a very long time.
He played with him during his years with the Utah Jazz as well as his current stint with the Cavaliers.
Because of that, the two have a close relationship.
That is why Mitchell was sending Rubio nothing but love after the Spanish guard announced he was stepping away from professional basketball to focus on his mental health.
“With you Mi Hermano,” Mitchell said with a heart emoji on Twitter.
With you Mi Hermano❤️ @rickyrubio9 https://t.co/yGshL0L0Vy
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 5, 2023
Mitchell and Rubio have been through a lot together.
When Rubio joined the Jazz back in 2017-18, Mitchell was one of the team’s lead stars and was thought of as the future of the franchise.
At that point in his career, Rubio was starting to play fewer minutes but still started in every game alongside Mitchell.
After those two years, Rubio then moved to the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He then came over to the Cleveland Cavaliers the season before Mitchell joined.
The reunion was good for both of them and they continued to get along and remain close.
Rubio doesn’t play as much as he used to and it wasn’t clear what his future in the NBA was.
This move away from the sport is bringing out a lot of support and showing just how impactful he was on the people he played with.
A point guard is often a team leader because of the nature of the position.
But Rubio became cohesive to multiple squads due to more than just his role on the court.
Players like Mitchell aren’t sending Rubio love because of his point totals but because of the type of person he is.
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Cavaliers Veteran Makes Big Announcement About His Career