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. He was born on April 4, 1985. Rudy played most of his career for Real Madrid in Spain. He also played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States. Rudy is known as a "swingman," which means he can play both small forward and shooting guard positions. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall.

Rudy Fernández won the EuroLeague championship three times. He was also part of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team when he played in the NBA. He is the player with the most games played for the Spanish national team. With Spain, he won two FIBA World Cup gold medals. He also earned two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games. Rudy won four EuroBasket gold medals with Spain. He retired from basketball on August 16, 2024.

Rudy's Basketball Journey
Playing for Spain's National Team
- Representing His Country
Rudy's Personal Life
Awards and Accomplishments
- Professional Career Highlights
- Spanish National Team Medals
See also

Rudy's Basketball Journey

Starting with Joventut (2002–2008)

With DKV Joventut at the 2008 ACB Playoffs.

Rudy Fernández began his professional career with DKV Joventut in Spain. He quickly became a star player. With Joventut, he won several important titles. These included the FIBA EuroChallenge in 2006. He also won the Spanish King's Cup and the EuroCup in 2008.

Rudy also received 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 2006, he was named the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year. This showed he was one of the best young players in Europe.

Playing in the NBA: Portland Trail Blazers (2008–2011)

With the Trail Blazers in December 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, Rudy announced he would join the Trail Blazers. He became the eighth Spanish player to join the NBA.

Rudy played his first NBA game in October 2008. He scored 16 points. In January 2009, fans voted him to join the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He honored a former Trail Blazers player, Fernando Martín, by wearing his jersey. Rudy was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2009. He set new NBA rookie records for making the most three-point shots. He also made a three-pointer in 33 games in a row.

In December 2009, Rudy had surgery for a back injury. He continued to play for the Blazers until 2011.

Short Stint with Denver Nuggets (2011–2012)

In 2011, during an NBA lockout (when players and teams couldn't agree on rules), Rudy signed a short contract with Real Madrid. This allowed him to play in Spain while the NBA was on hold.

When the NBA started again, Rudy was traded to the Denver Nuggets. He played 31 games for Denver. However, he suffered another back injury that ended his season. In July 2012, Rudy decided not to return to the NBA. He chose to sign a long-term deal with Real Madrid.

Returning to Real Madrid (2012–2024)

Rudy Fernández returned to Real Madrid in 2012. This began a very successful period for him and the team. He was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team twice.

In 2015, Real Madrid won the EuroLeague championship. They also won the Spanish League championship that same year. This meant they won the "triple crown" (three major titles in one season). Rudy was a key player in these victories.

Real Madrid won the EuroLeague again in 2018 and 2023 with Rudy. They also won many more Spanish League titles. In 2018, Rudy was named the MVP of the Spanish League finals. He signed extensions to stay with Real Madrid until 2020. Rudy Fernández officially retired from basketball on August 16, 2024, after a long and successful career.

Playing for Spain's National Team

Representing His Country

Rudy at the EuroBasket 2011.

Rudy Fernández started playing for Spain's national junior teams when he was 16. He then became a very important player for the senior Spanish national team. He played in many major international tournaments.

In 2006, Rudy helped Spain win a gold medal at the FIBA World Championship. He also won a silver medal at the EuroBasket 2007. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Spain won a silver medal. Rudy scored 22 points in the final game against Team USA. He even had an amazing dunk over Dwight Howard!

Rudy continued to win many medals with Spain. He won gold medals at the EuroBasket 2009, EuroBasket 2011, EuroBasket 2015, and EuroBasket 2022. He also won a bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2013. In 2019, he helped Spain win another gold medal at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Rudy is known for being the player with the most games played for Spain's national team.

Rudy's Personal Life

Rudy Fernández married Helen Lindes on July 4, 2015. They live in Pozuelo de Alarcón, near Madrid. Rudy's older sister, Marta Fernández, also played professional basketball. She even played in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2007.