Former NBA point guard Ricky Rubio will begin training with Barcelona on Tuesday, the Catalan club said on Monday, as the Spaniard prepares to return to basketball after declaring he is entering the final stages of his mental health recovery.

Rubio missed most of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with a torn ACL and left the team in August to focus on his mental health before retiring from the NBA in early January.

“After weeks of reflection and dedication to my body and mind, I found myself with the desire and strength to understand how I react with the ball in my hands,” Rubio, 33, posted on social media platform X.

My next step is to ask FC Barcelona if I can train with them without any obligation or disruption to their plans for the season.

Rubio was born in Elmasnu, Barcelona Province. From 2009 to 2011, Rubio played 140 official games for Barcelona, helping Barcelona win two Spanish Cups, a league championship and a European League championship.