 On his exit out of the club he paid tribute to his DKV coach, Aíto García Reneses, "All I know of basketball is thanks to Aíto García Reneses", he said.On June 28, 2007, Fernández was taken 24th overall in the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, who subsequently traded his draft rights along with James Jones to the Portland Trail Blazers for cash.Rudy Fernández announced at a press conference on Friday, June 6, 2008, that he would leave DKV Joventut to join the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2008–09 NBA season, and he signed a contract with the Blazers on July 1.