Former Shanxi flame guards head coach C{\’e}sar Rubio returned to Taiyuan on November 11 to lead the WCBA club for the 2026-2027 campaign after a four-year absence.
Joining Shanxi in 2012
Rubio arrived in Shanxi in 2012 as an assistant alongside Spanish coach Lucas when the franchise entered the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association as an ambitious newly promoted side that signed star player Maya Moore. “Is basketball that brought me here,” Rubio said.
The newcomer faced immediate culture shocks in the sprawling northern city. “My first impression of Taiyuan was that it was huge,” Rubio told sx.xinhuanet.com, noting that commutes in Pamplona took only minutes compared to lengthy journeys across the Chinese metropolis.
Chasing Championships
Shanxi captured three consecutive league titles during that early era, transforming from a fresh club into a dominant force. “When I think back to that time, my mind goes to the ups and downs we lived through,” Rubio said.
“We won our third title and the city went crazy,” Rubio said.
Developing Young Talent
Rubio returned for a second stint in 2019 to steer a transitional roster through rigorous training and modern tactical frameworks. He introduced European team concepts fused with physical play, demanding both discipline and creativity from his athletes.
“Discipline builds execution, but creativity makes you unpredictable,” Rubio explained. Under his guidance, young guards like Wu Tongtong developed into core contributors for the club.
Stepping Away for Family
Rubio departed for Spain in 2022 to care for his aging parents as their health declined. Back in Pamplona, he coached locally while serving as the lead foreign assistant for the Chinese women’s national team through the 2024 Olympic cycle.
“During the years I spent away from Taiyuan, the thing I missed most was the friends I made there,” Rubio said.
Rejoining The Club
After watching Shanxi drop a five-game series to Sichuan in the 2025-2026 finals from Spain, Rubio knew it was time to come back. Management reached out, and contract terms were finalized in July during a 15-minute meeting in Spain.
The squad traveled to Pamplona in late September for a three-week training camp featuring six test matches against local opposition. “People in Pamplona had heard of Shanxi and were very curious,” Rubio said.
Preparing for Tipoff
Rubio expressed deep excitement as the new season approaches in Taiyuan. “Fourteen years ago I came here for a job, but today it feels completely different,” Rubio said. “I feel like I am back in my second home.”
The team opens its 2026-2027 WCBA schedule as club officials and players target a return to the finals.
