Sergio Rodriguez talks about international players, best teammates and competitors in the NBA and more
Sergio Rodriguez Reputable as one of the great players in Europa League history, his career spanned Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow and Olimpia Milano, as well as careers with Portland Cross Country Shoes, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.
Rodriguez signed his first adidas contract in 2003, and he talked specifically with Hoopshype about his lifelong relationship with the brand, his passion for gaming, and the unique cultural differences between leagues around the world. He also revealed his retirement plans, what it means to be considered a legend in the European League, and his pride in seeing international players thrive in today’s NBA.
Sergio Rodríguez poses in front of the Mandela wall at the 2025 Mandela wall at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, Spain on April 21, 2025. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images by laureus)
SR: Now, I’m in a situation where I want to take a break to reflect on what I want to do. Basketball is my passion and I will participate in basketball. But for the moment, I want to focus on my daily routine and spend more time with my family. I have not had time to do what I want to do in the past 20 years. I was playing basketball and I loved it, but at the same time, when you retire, it takes some time to stay on a different side.
CSKA Moscow’s Spanish defender Sergio Rodriguez won the trophy after winning the final European League basketball at Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria on May 19, 2019.
SR: Yes, I’m playing around the world. I play in Spain, obviously in the United States, Russia, Italy…so what I mean to basketball around the world, and having the opportunity to play in the NBA is my dream. Then, being able to win the Europa League with Real Madrid in Moscow CSKA and having the opportunity to play with Milano in Italy… It was a stunning, amazing experience. So, I feel very lucky for my career. I put a lot of work on it and I really like to play. What I can imagine is growth, but reality is much better.
Sergio Rodriguez of the New York Knicks circled the ball with the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2010 in New York. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
SR: You know, I always wanted to play in the NBA, I always wanted to be with Real Madrid. So it was an incredible achievement to have these situations and be able to go to the United States at a very young age to continue developing, then return to Spain to play with Real Madrid and be able to win the Europa League. Then having the opportunity to go back to the NBA, play for a season in Philadelphia, and then ending a career in Real Madrid through CSKA and Olimpia Milano and Olimpia Milano and ending in Real Madrid was a great opportunity to say goodbye, enjoy the final seasons, win the European League and Spain titles…so I am very grateful for my chance.
March 19, 2017; Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez passed the ball in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 105-99. Image source: John Geliebter-Usa Sports Today
SR: There are big differences. The first time I was in the NBA was a kind of league. Afterwards, when I came back to play with Philadelphia, it was a completely different league. The game, the structure, the players, the coaches and how they treat the game differently. The second time there are also more international players. I am very grateful for how I am in different situations and how I can adjust to improve productivity in these situations.
Real Madrid defenders Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez competed against Olympiacos Pireus on May 17, 2015 after winning the final four basketball finals of the European League at Palacio de los Deportes in Madrid on May 17, 2015.
SR: That was an amazing honor. I really enjoyed playing in the Europa League and playing in Abu Dhabi when I was a kid with some of my teammates and some of our opponents who had a lot of games and some of our teammates next to them. So, you know, being considered one of the best players in the game is a huge achievement, and I don’t take it for granted.
Sergio Rodriguez dived in front of Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Madison Square Garden, New York on February 20, 2010. (Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
SR: I have been lucky in my career and have great teammates around me. It’s hard to say one or the other. The same goes for opponents. I’ve ever had some of the best historical games in the NBA’s history: Kobe Bryant,,,,, LeBron James…Many people who have ruled the game for many years. Also in Europe, we have Kyle HinesWho am I with… Vassilis Spanoulis,,,,, Juan Carlos Navarroteammates like it Felipe Reyes,,,,, Rudy Fernandez,,,,, Sergio Lull. So I’m very lucky.
Spain’s Sergio Rodriguez celebrates the three-pointer in the men’s basketball gold medal match on the 16th day of the 2012 Olympic Games at the North Greenwich Arena on August 12, 2012.
SR: Again, it’s hard to choose one, but you probably know that in the NBA, I won three European cars I won, played for Real Madrid, played for the national team, and we won the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics. So there are some moments that won European championships and gold medals at the 2006 World Cup. So there are many moments. I feel very grateful when I see them and reflect on those moments.
SR: The rest of the world is getting closer to the level of the United States I focus on as a fan, and it’s amazing to have these types of players come from Europe and become great players in the NBA. I look forward to more players from Europe, I like it very much it.
Sergio Rodriguez, Antonio Adan, Karim Benzema and Ricardo Carvalho opened on February 21, 2013 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Sergio Rodriguez: I’ve been involved all my life. I started wearing Adidas when I was a kid. I signed the first contract with the brand in 2003.
Guerschon Yabusele and Sergio Rodriguez talked to campers this morning and had a Q&A at Adidas Eurocamp: pic.twitter.com/jefn7qnd97
— Nick Crane (@crainnba) June 1, 2025
SR: This is very special. My arrival in Treviso in 2003 was a prospect. After that year, I signed with Estudiantes. I started playing against the first team and then played for 20 years. I just retired last year. It was very special to have the opportunity to come here and see all the kids in the same situation as I was 22 years ago. So it was great to see them enjoying their time here and I felt the situation from different angles.
