Sergio Scariolo stepped down as coach of the Spanish national team on Wednesday after four years on the job.

"I don't know if I'm more emotional now than four years ago when I sat here and took the reins of the national team," Scariolo said.

"I think this (stepping down) is the right decision,” Scariolo added. “It will allow me to spend more time with my family and I think it will give the national team a new challenge.

"I can only have words of thank you. I want to thank the president for giving me the opportunity and my players for the great discipline they always showed. I can only say that I have tried with all my strength."

Under Scariolo, Spain won Eurobasket gold in 2009 and 2011 and claimed silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Juan Antonio Orenga, who has served as an assistant to Scariola since 2009, will take over as head coach of the Spanish national team.

The length of Orenga's contract was not announced.

Ricky Rubio, recovering from a torn ACL that forced him out of the 2012 Olympics, hopes to resume playing for the Spanish National team at EuroBasket 2013.

"I don't know, my health condition will decide,” Rubio said. “This summer, for example, I couldn't go because of my knee. If I don't go, knock on wood, I hope it's not because of injuries.

"From my part, I will always be available for my national team as long as my body lets me play."

Without Rubio, Spain lost to the U.S 107-100 in last summer's gold-medal game.

"It was such a pity," Rubio said. "I don't want to think about it because it's something very sad.

"In any case, there will be more summers and more Olympic Games and I hope to continue with the national team, where the atmosphere is great and we have such a nice time every summer.”