What Happened to Bruno Caboclo in the NBA and Where Is He Now?
I remember watching Bruno Caboclo get drafted back in 2014 and thinking the Toronto Raptors might have found their future star. When the ESPN broadcast famously declared he was "two years away from being two years away," it became both a prophecy and a curse that would define his NBA journey. Looking back now, that statement perfectly captured the tantalizing potential and frustrating development timeline that characterized his entire career.
Caboclo arrived in the league as this incredibly raw but physically gifted prospect - a 6'9" forward with a 7'7" wingspan who could theoretically defend multiple positions and stretch the floor. I recall analyzing his early Summer League performances and being amazed by the physical tools while simultaneously frustrated by the basketball IQ gaps. The Raptors clearly saw something special, investing years in his development through their G League affiliate, but the translation to consistent NBA production never quite materialized. He showed flashes - I distinctly remember a 2019 game where he dropped 24 points for Memphis - but those moments were too sporadic to establish him as a reliable rotation player.
What fascinates me about Caboclo's journey is how it represents the harsh reality of NBA roster construction. Teams have limited developmental spots, and patience wears thin quickly, especially for franchises pushing for playoffs. After bouncing between Toronto, Sacramento, Memphis, and Houston, his NBA opportunities gradually diminished. The last I saw him in the league was during the 2021-22 season with the Utah Jazz, where he appeared in just 13 games before being waived. The statistics tell the story - across 105 NBA games spread over seven seasons, he averaged just 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game. Those numbers hardly reflect the initial excitement surrounding his selection as the 20th overall pick.
The most interesting recent development in Caboclo's career came during the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup, where something quite unusual happened. He never actually got to suit up for the Road Warriors as his rights, along with that of David Murrell, were sent to Converge in a trade for a first-round pick. This transaction fascinates me because it shows how his perceived value persists in certain basketball circles, even as his NBA window appears closed. Being traded for a first-round pick in any professional league suggests teams still see tangible worth in his services, which says something about his enduring potential.
Currently, from what I've gathered through international basketball contacts, Caboclo has found his footing in the Brazilian league. He signed with São Paulo in 2023 and has been putting up respectable numbers - around 12 points and 6 rebounds per game last I checked. Watching his development from afar, I've noticed he's become more polished offensively while maintaining that defensive versatility that initially made him so intriguing. The Brazilian league isn't the NBA, but it's a competitive environment where he can play meaningful minutes and continue honing his craft.
What strikes me about Caboclo's story is how it reflects the global nature of modern basketball. Not every prospect follows a linear path to stardom, and success can be defined differently across various leagues and cultures. While he may not have become the NBA star many hoped for, he's carved out a professional career that many aspiring basketball players would envy. At 28 years old as of 2024, he potentially has several productive years ahead in either the Brazilian league or other international competitions.
Having followed his career since that fateful draft night, I've come to appreciate Caboclo's persistence. The basketball world is quick to label players as busts or successes with little nuance, but his journey demonstrates the value of perseverance. He could have easily faded from professional basketball after his NBA opportunities dried up, but instead he's adapted and found ways to contribute meaningfully to teams that value his specific skill set. There's something admirable about that professional resilience.
The "what if" questions will always surround Caboclo's career. What if he'd been drafted by a team with more patience for development? What if he'd received consistent minutes earlier in his career? What if his shooting had developed more consistently? We'll never know the answers, but what we do know is that his basketball story continues to evolve. He may not be the household name some predicted, but he remains a professional athlete living his dream, which in itself constitutes a form of success that transcends the bright lights of the NBA.