MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, September 1, 2009 (AFP) - Talented teen Ricky Rubio has opted stay in Spain, rather than make a move to the National Basketball Association with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the US club said Tuesday.

Rubio, 18, had said this year that he wanted to play in the NBA, and the Timberwolves made him the fifth overall selection in the NBA draft in June.

But Timberwolves president David Khan said that the player had backed out of a deal negotiated over the weekend to bring him to the States from Spanish team DKV Joventut. Instead he will move to Barcelona.

"While the term sheet was being finalized Monday night, Ricky informed me that, despite considering us his first option the previous weekend - and, admittedly, after some back and forth throughout the summer - he preferred to stay at home to play for FC Barcelona, which earlier this summer had made a

buyout offer to Joventut," Khan said in a statement posted on the Timberwolves website. "He also reaffirmed that it was his intention to join us in Minnesota two years from now when he will be 20."

Khan said the Timberwolves still hoped to have Rubio on board in two years, adding that a little more maturity would likely stand the player in good stead when eventually arrives in the NBA.