Former Raptor Bruno Caboclo scores 33 points as Brazil beats Japan 102-84

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Surviving the Japanese comeback in the second half, Brazil got the job done to keep hoping about making it to the next phase at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Brazil is currently -7 in points differential after getting today’s 102-84 win and will wait for the rest of the games in Gameday 3 to find out more about the future. France and Germany already qualified for the next round, but the South Americans can hope to be two of the best third-classified teams. Already dominating at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Bruno Caboclo was crucial for his team’s win, as the Brazilian center finished the game with a double-double of 33 points plus 17 rebounds. “When I am not in foul trouble, I know I can play like that and at least be a true factor on the defensive end”, said Caboclo after the game.
Source: EuroHoops.net

Hollinger himself had a front-row seat to the Raptors fireworks on draft night in 2014. He was aware of Toronto’s interest in Caboclo, though his own scouting department didn’t share the Raptors’ enthusiasm. “I do remember when we were doing our background on him that we called a couple people down there and we basically said, ‘Are there these moments or flashes in practice where you’re just like, oh my god?’” Hollinger said, probing for the kind of goosebumps moment that a 17-year-old Kobe conjured back in 1996. “We asked a couple people this question. They’re like, no, not really, man.” The Grizzlies had the 22nd pick in the draft, just two spots behind Toronto. The Raptors offered the Grizzlies their 37th pick to move up. “We were like, well, if they already have 20 and they’re trying to get [22], they must really want this Bruno guy.” Caboclo, in a sense, was the NBA draft’s last mystery man. -via The Ringer / June 30, 2024

According to an anonymous source who worked in the Pacers front office at that time, Indiana had told Caboclo’s representation that the team would draft Bruno ahead of the Raptors. But where, exactly, was up to interpretation. Ujiri, then just weeks into a new job, had a crisis of confidence. Embry, a steadying presence who’d seen it all in the NBA, gave Ujiri the reassurance he needed: Don’t get fixated on a number. If that’s the player, you take them with the pick. “Toronto got scared and took him in the first,” the source said. “Truth is, there was too much draft capital value for us in the first. We were not taking Bruno in the first. Second round was always our target.” -via The Ringer / June 30, 2024

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