Bill Duffy, agent for NBA stars such as Yao Ming and Steve Nash, has declared that point guard prodigy Ricky Rubio is overrated.

Duffy is known in basketball circles as an astute judge of basketball talent, with Kevin McHale backing the claim.

The agent now says that he did not have Rubio in the top five of this year's NBA draft, preferring another point guard to the Spanish sensation.

"To be honest with you, the other kid, Brandon Jennings, who played in Italy, ranked higher," said Duffy, referring to his client, a point guard who was picked 10th by Milwaukee.

"I had three other first-round point guards, but I didn't have [Rubio] ranked that high. I think he is pretty good, but I think he might be a little hyped up."

"He is a flashy guy and he is young, but I think it is a lot of hype. I mean, he will be a good player, but they are trying to compare him with my guy Steve Nash or John Stockton -- I don't see that."

Duffy added that the Timberwolves will have a challenge on their hands to bring Rubio to Minnesota, having had a lot of experience representing overseas players with buyouts.

"I think it may be a challenge, but the bottom line is that a small team in Spain wants money, so what may happen is that he may end up going to a bigger club in Spain -- they basically pay part of the buyout and then when he comes to the NBA, they get the rest," Duffy said.

"But that team [DKV Joventut] needs money now, so they are more likely to sell him to another team like Real Madrid or Barcelona, who can pay the buyout now and then they will collect the rest when he comes to the NBA, because he is still going to have to pay the same amount, so there is a possibility that may happen."