Rudy Fernandez has been away from the NBA circle for over 12 years now! However, this doesn’t mean that he chose to put his basketball days behind him. After returning to his homeland, the Spaniard aligned himself with Real Madrid, a club that he also ended up bidding adieu to only this year. Despite this, the player continues to make waves on the international stage, especially during the recently commenced 2024 Paris Olympics.

Fernandez didn’t even get a chance to make his first shot against Australia before he ended up creating history. As it turned out, by just clocking in on the court during the 5:18 mark, the 39-year-old became the first-ever basketball player to participate in not one, not two, but SIX Olympics. This is a record that not even star veterans LeBron James and Kevin Durant will manage to touch, since the ongoing games will mark the fourth for both of them. While Fernandez may be the first, he won’t remain the only one on the list for long, as Team USA star Diana Taurasi will join him during the upcoming game against Japan.

With this achievement, it would be remiss not to discuss this remarkable player who has somewhat been forgotten from the recent history of the NBA.

Who is Rudy Fernandez?

Rudy Fernandez’s first foray into professional basketball occurred through Spanish clubs. He followed the precedent set by his father, Rodolfo Fernandez, who also played basketball at the professional level. His six-year tenure with Joventut Badalona saw him securing victory in two Catalan Tournaments, a FIBA EuroChallenge championship, and the Spanish King’s Cup two years later. He ended things on a high note by lifting his first EuroCup championship trophy in 2008.

This success and accolades caught the attention of NBA representatives from across the pond. In the year 2007, Rudy Fernandez put his name in the NBA draft and was picked in the first round as the 24th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns but was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Although he was 22-23 when he was drafted, a late start is just as good as any start in the league. This proved to be the case because the player was able to get an average score of 10.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in the 2008-09 regular season. However, he was not as effective in the subsequent seasons and his average points per game reduced to 8.1 during the next season and 8.6 points during the 2010 season.

Fernandez only played for 31 games after joining the Denver Nuggets and this was cut short by a season-ending injury. Moreover, it did not help when he was said to have engaged in a pay disagreement with league officials. After careful consideration, Fernandez signed a three-year contract with Real Madrid in 2012, thus, closing his NBA career. In the statement, he confessed his gratitude saying, “They gave me the opportunity to play in the best league in the world”. However, if one is to look at how his future panned out to be, then leaving the NBA was indeed a blessing in disguise.

How has Rudy Fernandez fared on the international stage?

Rudy Fernandez is no novice to playing on the international level. After all, he has been representing Spain since the age of 16. He first put his skills to the test on the Olympic stage during the 2004 Games in Athens. During the same, he ended up averaging 5.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0 assists. Despite getting close to the end, Spain could not secure a medal and ended up as the European runner-up.

Both the team and the player had a better run during the later Olympics. During the 2008 Games, in which Spain secured the Silver Medal, he recorded his Olympic high score of 11.4 points per game, along with an average of 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The same average points would also be recorded by Fernandez during the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, in which Spain secured the Bronze Medal.

Along with three Olympic medals, Rudy Fernandez also possesses two gold medals from his presence at the FIBA World Cup tournaments, along with four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze from the EuroBasket games. The 2024 Paris Olympics is the player’s last foray on the international stage, as he reportedly promised the same to his late father. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether he and Spain have what it takes to finally bring an Olympic Gold Medal home.

Rudy Fernandez’s journey from NBA courts to becoming an iconic figure in international basketball is nothing short of remarkable. His record-breaking sixth Olympic appearance not only cements his legacy in sports history but also serves as a testament to his enduring talent and passion for the game. As he bids farewell to his illustrious career on the global stage, Rudy Fernandez leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of basketball players.