Sneak Peek: Rookie Sensation Ricky Rubio Featured in Upcoming ESPN the Mag Issue

"With the vision of a hawk and the visage of a muppet, Ricky Rubio is returning the joy of hoops to Minnesota."

So reads the tag-line of Ric Bucher's upcoming article on Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio.

Bucher provides readers with an interesting look at the young point guard and tracks his progress from when he started playing pro ball in Spain at age 14 to where he is now—setting records and sparking energy into a previously wilting Timberwolves ball club.

This scrawny European kid is turning heads across the league.

Bucher writes:

"From the very first regular-season game, [Rubio] was part of the finishing lineup. Ten games in, with the Timberwolves stuck at three wins, he forced his way into the starting five and they went 7-4 over their next 11. Even Rubio's defense, which was supposed to be suspect, has been far better than expected."

The article contains feedback from Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman and fellow NBA players, including LA Clippers guard Chauncey Billups.

Bucher also includes an entertaining interaction between Rubio and All-Star Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. When it comes to the London Summer Olympics, Rubio's not shy about his confidence in his home country.

If you're a fan, a critic, a skeptic or simply intrigued by the young Spaniard causing so much hoopla (yes, pun intended...), you should definitely watch for the Feb 12 issue of ESPN the Mag coming to a newsstand near you.

View the online article here.

Below is an excerpt from the upcoming release (used with permission):

Rubio_Feb 12

Follow @lilshortie2712