Looking at some NBA previews, it can be said that Ricky Rubio will have his eyes on the newswires on Tuesday night when the lottery for the 2009 NBA draft takes place in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The Spanish guard sensation, whose name has been rising up the ranks of this year’s draft class quicker than his dazzling ball skills, could even end up becoming a surprise No 1 pick next month depending on just who gets the chance to send that pick in to Commissioner David Stern.

Last year it was the Chicago Bulls who benefitted from the luck of the draw, getting hold of the prized Derrick Rose with only a 1.7% chance of the first pick, and there are some half decent teams (some of whom could do with Rubio in their ranks) who are sweating on their fate.

Foremost among them are the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they have been talking up the Joventut Badalona prospect almost to the point of obsession. If the balls fall in order, they would only pick at five, but there has already been talk of them moving up to two if they have the assets to do so.

Their need for a point guard has never been as high, and Rubio could prove to be the ideal foil for a team that has only one true star in Al Jefferson, and a bunch of role players all of whom can offer something, but not really all that much.

Rubio failed to make much of an impact on the Euroleague this season because of a wrist injury and his stats in the Spanish ACB League are not flashy, but scouts have seemingly remembered he is just a kid playing against grizzled veterans, many of whom seem keen just to knock him down a peg or two.

Comparisons with Steve Nash and Pete Maravich might have come a little bit too soon, but with the recent explosion of Latin players in the NBA, it’s quite likely that Rubio will make an impact over the next few years in America.

Links and Resources: Griffin anxious as Lottery night beckons (NBA.com), Blake Griffin is the big prize in tonight’s NBA lottery (Kansas City Star), Clippers prepare for NBA Draft Lottery (Los Angeles Times), Post by Basketball Betting