No Rubio in NBA earlier than 2011-12

BARCELONA, Spain – Ricky Rubio is promising NBA fans they’ll get to see his razzle-dazzle, but not before the 2011-12 season – and not necessarily with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In an interview with the Associated Press, the highly rated prospect said he won’t leave Spanish club Barcelona before his NBA opt-out clause comes up after next season. The Timberwolves remain his team of choice, as long as they make improvements following a season where they finished 15-67, the second-worst record in the league.

If not, the Spaniard may want to make his NBA debut elsewhere.

“I’m open to everything,” Rubio said courtside from Barcelona’s Palau Blaugrana stadium. “You never know when all of this finishes if it will be with this team.”

Rubio expects improvements from the team that took him with the fifth choice in last year’s draft.