Rudy Fernández (basketball) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Fernández and the second or maternal family name is Farrés.

Quick facts for kids
Rudy Fernández

Fernández with Real Madrid in 2016

Personal information

Born

4 April 1985 (age 40)
Palma, Spain

Listed height

6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)

Listed weight

183 lb (83 kg)

Career information

NBA Draft

2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24th overall

Selected by the Phoenix Suns

Pro career

2002–2024

Career history

2002–2008

Joventut

2008–2011

Portland Trail Blazers

2011

Real Madrid

2011–2012

Denver Nuggets

2012–2024

Real Madrid

Career highlights and awards

3× EuroLeague champion (2015, 2018, 2023)
EuroCup champion (2008)
FIBA EuroChallenge champion (2006)
All-FIBA EuroCup Guard of the Year (2006)
FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2015)
7× Liga ACB champion (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024)
7× Spanish King's Cup winner (2008, 2014–2017, 2020, 2024)
9× Spanish Supercup winner (2012–2014, 2018–2023)
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2009)
2× All-EuroLeague First Team (2013, 2014)
All-EuroLeague Second Team (2015)
EuroLeague Rising Star (2007)
EuroCup Finals MVP (2008)
FIBA EuroChallenge Final Four MVP (2006)
Liga ACB Finals MVP (2018)
4× All-Liga ACB First Team (2007, 2008, 2013, 2014)
Liga ACB Top Scorer (2008)
Liga ACB Domestic Player of the Year (2018)
Liga ACB Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
Liga ACB Most Spectacular Player (2013)
3× Spanish King's Cup MVP (2004, 2008, 2015)
Spanish Supercup MVP (2012)
All-ULEB Cup Player of the Year (2008)
All-ULEB Cup Guard of the Year (2008)
FIBA Young Player of the Year (2006)

Medals

Men's basketball

Representing Spain
Summer Olympics
Silver	2008 Beijing	Team
Silver	2012 London	Team
Bronze	2016 Rio de Janeiro	Team
FIBA World Cup
Gold	2006 Japan
Gold	2019 China
FIBA Eurobasket
Gold	2009 Poland
Gold	2011 Lithuania
Gold	2015 France
Gold	2022 Germany
Silver	2007 Spain
Bronze	2013 Slovenia
FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
Bronze	2001 Latvia	Team

Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernández Farrés is a famous Spanish basketball player who played for many years. He was born on April 4, 1985. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall and played as a Small forward or shooting guard. Rudy spent most of his amazing career with Real Madrid in Spain. He also played in the NBA in the United States.

Rudy is known for winning many big titles. He won the EuroLeague three times and was part of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team when he played in the NBA. He also played for the Spanish national team more than anyone else, with 266 games! With Spain, he won two FIBA World Cup gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Olympics. He also won four EuroBasket gold medals.

Rudy Fernández's Basketball Journey
Playing for Spain's National Team
- Junior and Senior Teams
- Olympic and World Cup Success
Personal Life
Awards and Accomplishments
Images for kids
See also

Rudy Fernández's Basketball Journey

Starting with Joventut (2002–2008)

Rudy playing for DKV Joventut in 2008.

Rudy Fernández started his professional basketball career with DKV Joventut in Spain. He quickly became a star player. With Joventut, he won several important championships. These included the FIBA EuroChallenge in 2006 and the EuroCup in 2008.

He also earned many personal awards during this time. He was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the Spanish King's Cup twice. He also won the EuroCup Finals MVP award in 2008. In 2006, he was even named the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year.

Playing in the NBA (2008–2011)

Rudy with the Trail Blazers in 2008.

In 2007, Rudy was picked by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA draft. His rights were then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2008, he officially joined the Trail Blazers, becoming one of the few Spanish players to play in the NBA.

Rudy played his first NBA game in October 2008. He quickly showed his skills, scoring 16 points in his debut. In January 2009, fans voted for him to join the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend. He even wore a special jersey to honor a former Trail Blazers player, Fernando Martín.

He was chosen for the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2009. He also set new NBA rookie records for making the most three-point shots in a season. He made a three-pointer in 33 games in a row! After three seasons with the Trail Blazers, Rudy moved back to Spain briefly during an NBA lockout.

Back to Spain and the NBA (2011–2012)

In 2011, while the NBA was on a lockout, Rudy signed a temporary contract with Real Madrid. This was a big deal, as it was the largest contract in Spanish league history at the time.

When the NBA lockout ended, Rudy was traded to the Denver Nuggets. He played 31 games for them before a back injury ended his season. In 2012, Rudy decided not to return to the NBA. He chose to sign a long-term deal with Real Madrid.

Long Career with Real Madrid (2012–2024)

Rudy Fernández returned to Real Madrid in 2012 and stayed there for the rest of his career. This was a very successful period for him and the team. He helped Real Madrid win the EuroLeague championship three times (in 2015, 2018, and 2023). The EuroLeague is one of the biggest basketball competitions in Europe.

He also helped Real Madrid win the Spanish League championship seven times! In 2015, his team achieved the "triple crown" by winning the EuroLeague, Spanish League, and Spanish King's Cup in the same season. In 2018, he was even named the MVP of the Spanish League Finals. Rudy retired from basketball on August 16, 2024, after a long and brilliant career.

Playing for Spain's National Team

Junior and Senior Teams

Rudy playing for Spain at the EuroBasket 2011.

Rudy Fernández started playing for Spain's national basketball teams when he was just sixteen years old. He played for the junior teams before moving up to the senior national team.

With the senior team, Rudy became a key player. He helped Spain win a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He also won a silver medal at the EuroBasket 2007.

Olympic and World Cup Success

Rudy has had amazing success at the Olympics. He won two silver medals (in 2008 and 2012) and a bronze medal (in 2016). In the 2008 Olympic final against the USA team, he scored 22 points and made a famous dunk over Dwight Howard that many people still talk about!

He also won two more gold medals at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019. Rudy has won four gold medals at the EuroBasket tournament (in 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2022). He also has a silver and a bronze medal from EuroBasket. He was even named to the All-Tournament Team at EuroBasket 2009.

Personal Life

Rudy Fernández married Helen Lindes on July 4, 2015. They live near Madrid, Spain. His older sister, Marta Fernández, also played professional basketball, including for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.