In the first group of the men’s basketball competition at the Paris Olympics, Spain defeated Greece on Tuesday. Rudy Fernandez, 39, made clutch shots that helped Spain survive after it had blown a 16-point lead in the second half. Unfortunately, Spain lost the veteran Olympic player in the fourth quarter after teammate Juancho Hernangomez unintentionally kicked him in the head.

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What happened to Fernandez?

Fernandez, who made two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, fell while trying to defend Greece’s Vassilis Toliopoulos and was kicked in the head under the basket by Hernangomez as he rose to defend the shot.

In addition to the obvious initial concern of a concussion, it appeared he had a neck injury. Fernandez had to be helped to the bench as he lay there writhing in pain. He had to be held down after nearly falling over while sitting down on the bench. Multiple trainers helped him to his feet and walk to the locker room after he was briefly examined.

In his sixth Olympics, Fernandez scored 10 points for Spain on 3 of 6 shooting from the bench. They won their first game of the 2024 games today and he was the team’s fourth-leading scorer. Canada and Spain play on Thursday. Fernandez’s situation should be uncertain.

What did Scariolo say?

Scariolo reports that Rudy is feeling better, but it is still unclear whether he will be available for Spain’s group stage match against Canada on Friday.

Scariolo said: “Rudy is doing well personally. He was hit hard but there is no risk of anything serious. However, we have to keep an eye on him for the next few hours because he is doubtful for the next match.”

Spain’s most-attended Olympic player, Rudy Fernandez, is expected to retire from professional basketball after the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Fernandez’s basketball career

Fernandez played most of his career in both the EuroLeague and the Spanish Liga ACB for Real Madrid. He was named to the All-EuroLeague Team three times, winning the competition in 2015, 2018 and 2023. He was a member of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team during his time in the league.

In addition to winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, he has won two FIBA ​​World Cup titles (2006 and 2019) and two Olympic silver medals (2008 and 2012). Additionally, he won two bronze medals in 2007 and four EuroBasket titles in 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2022. In 2009, Fernández was named to the All-EuroBasket Team.

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