BADALONA (Olympics) - Rudy Fernandez will next season become the eighth Spaniard to play in the NBA. 

The 23-year-old announced on Friday he is leaving for the Portland Trail Blazers after the Olympics in Beijing.

The MVP of DKV Joventut’s Copa del Rey and ULEB Cup winning side this season, Fernandez was a first round draft pick last summer by Phoenix, who then traded his rights to Portland.

Sergio Rodriguez, another Spain international, has spent the past two years with the Blazers but received little playing time.

"They (Portland) have shown a lot of interest in getting me and have assured me that I will be an important part in the team,” Fernandez said.

“It's a young team and I am going there to help them qualify for the play-offs and why not, the title."

Fernandez, who held his press conference at Badalona on Friday afternoon and was very emotional, paid tribute to his coach at DKV, Aito Garcia Reneses.

"All I know of basketball is thanks to Aito Garcia Reneses,” he said.

“He is one of the best coaches and it would be great to meet again with the national team."

Aito stepped down from his job last week at DKV and is now in discussions with the basketball federation to replace Pepu Hernandez as coach.

Hernandez led the team to the world title in 2006 and a silver medal at last year’s EuroBasket in Spain but was sacked last week.

"It hasn't been easy for me to take this decision but the moment has come to face new challenges,” Fernandez said.

Now I have the possibility to achieve a dream and to be part of the NBA."

FIBA