NBA: Ricky Rubio 'Always Remembers' What Kevin Garnett Told Him

Ricky Rubio has shared the first thing Minnesota Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett told him when he made it to the NBA.

After contributing in the historic battle against Team USA during the 2008 Olympics, Rubio got the NBA’s attention and eventually landed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his arrival in the league, NBA champ and Wolves icon “KG” welcomed him in a way he never expected.

In his recent heartfelt piece for The Players’ Tribune, Rubio revealed how he felt entering the NBA. According to the Spaniard, he believed that he was destined to play against some of the best players in the world.

“So in 2011, I felt like I already knew how to play at that level. And I went into those L.A. runs determined to show those guys that I belonged. I’m a believer that everything in life happens for a reason — the lockout gave me the chance to test my game against some of the best in the world,” Rubio said.

This is also the time when Rubio crossed paths with Garnett. What happened next was something the young point guard will never forget. As per Rubio, Garnett welcomed him in Minnesota in such a unique way and he remembered how the legend put emphasis on “trust.”

“KG went on and on about Minnesota and the franchise. He was going in, like: “Man, let me tell you. This place, L.A., it’s alright, yeah? But trust me. Trust me. You go to Minny you give those people everything you got? Believe me. They’re gonna give you everything back. Trust. Trust!” Rubio recalled.

Rubio continued by revealing that he will “always remember” what Garnett told him. And even though he has already left Minnesota, the flashy point guard attested that everything Garnett said was true.

“I couldn’t believe that a player like KG — the NBA champ, the Big Ticket — he’s talking to me and he know my story. I’ll always remember that day. Later, I learned what Wolves fan already knew — KG speaks the truth. He was right about Minny. He was right about the fan base,” Rubio revealed.

It appears that Rubio has carried the advice Garnett gave him all the way to Salt Lake City. In fact, his former coach Quin Snyder (Utah Jazz head coach) gave him a large share of the credit for his team’s personality over the two seasons he played in Utah, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

“He came to Utah at a unique time and he gave everything that he had every night. What he gives comes from deep inside, and you appreciate that,” Snyder said of Rubio.