I still remember the buzz surrounding Bruno Caboclo when the Toronto Raptors drafted him 20th overall in 2014. The Brazilian prospect arrived with enormous expectations, famously dubbed "two years away from being two years away" by ESPN's Fran Fraschilla. As someone who's followed international basketball development for over a decade, I've rarely seen a player generate such polarized opinions. Some scouts saw him as the next Kevin Durant, while others questioned whether he'd ever develop into a rotation player. What fascinated me most was how his career trajectory defied conventional development paths, taking him through multiple NBA teams before his most recent move that many fans might have missed.
The early years in Toronto showed flashes of that tantalizing potential. I recall watching his G League performances where he'd occasionally showcase the shooting and defensive versatility that made him so intriguing. At 6'9" with a 7'7" wingspan, he had the physical tools that teams dream about developing. His stats never jumped off the page during those initial seasons—he averaged just 2.9 points in 38 games across three seasons with the Raptors—but those of us who watched closely could see gradual improvement in his understanding of the game. The problem was that development wasn't happening quickly enough for a team with championship aspirations like Toronto.
His journey took him to Sacramento, Memphis, and Houston between 2017-2020, with each stop providing glimpses of what could have been. I particularly remember his 2018-19 season with Memphis where he started 34 games and averaged 8.3 points—by far his most productive NBA stretch. He showed improved three-point shooting during that period, connecting on 36.9% of his attempts while demonstrating his defensive versatility. Yet consistency remained elusive, and teams eventually moved on to other options. What struck me during this period was how his game never quite found its niche—was he a stretch four? A defensive specialist? Teams seemed unsure how to best utilize his unique skill set.
The most recent chapter in his professional journey involves a transaction that many casual observers might have missed. After his time with the Rockets, Caboclo signed with the French team Limoges CSP before eventually moving to the PBA's Road Warriors. But here's where it gets interesting for those tracking his career: he never actually suited up for the Road Warriors. His rights, along with those of David Murrell, were traded to Converge in exchange for a first-round pick. This type of transaction reveals how player value can persist even when they're no longer in the NBA spotlight. From my perspective, this trade demonstrates that professional organizations still see potential value in his development, even if it's not at the NBA level currently.
Currently, Caboclo finds himself with Converge in the Philippine Basketball Association, continuing his professional career far from the NBA spotlight where he began. At 28 years old, he's no longer the raw prospect he was when drafted, but rather an experienced professional who's adapted to multiple leagues and playing styles. Having watched his evolution, I believe his story represents an alternative path to basketball success—one that doesn't necessarily involve sticking in the NBA. He's carved out a respectable professional career, even if it hasn't matched those initial sky-high expectations. His journey reminds me that player development isn't always linear, and success can be defined differently than we initially anticipate.
What's particularly compelling about Caboclo's story, in my view, is how it reflects the global nature of modern basketball. His path from Brazil to the NBA and now to the PBA illustrates how the game has truly become worldwide. While he may not have become the star many hoped for, he's maintained a professional career that many players would envy. I've always rooted for players like Caboclo—those with unique physical gifts who take unconventional paths. There's something compelling about watching someone develop at their own pace rather than according to external expectations.
Looking back, I think the "two years away" label created unrealistic expectations that were difficult to overcome. Development rarely happens on such a precise timeline, especially for international players adjusting to a new country and level of competition. His current situation with Converge represents another opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a team, something he's proven capable of doing when given consistent minutes and a defined role. While his NBA career appears to be in the rearview mirror for now, the fact that he's still playing professionally at a high level speaks to his resilience and adaptability.
The truth is, only about 60% of first-round picks have sustained NBA careers beyond five years, and Caboclo managed to stick around for parts of seven seasons across four teams. When you look at it that way, his career has been more successful than many realize. He may not have become the superstar some envisioned, but he's lived the professional basketball dream that so many aspire to. His journey continues, just not where most people expected to find him. And honestly, there's something beautiful about that—watching a player find his own path rather than following someone else's script.
