Rubio became the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish ACB League on October 15, 2005, at age 14. He made his Euroleague debut on October 24, 2006, at age 16, becoming the first player born in the 1990s to play in a Euroleague game. On June 25, 2009, he was drafted with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Timberwolves, making him the first player born in the 1990s to be drafted by the NBA. On August 31, 2009, DKV Joventut (his former Spanish team) traded the rights to Rubio to FC Barcelona, and Rubio signed a six-year contract with FC Barcelona. On May 31, 2011, Rubio reached an agreement with Minnesota to join the Timberwolves for the 2011–12 NBA season. He was named to the 2012 NBA All Rookie First Team.