What Happened to Bruno Caboclo in the NBA and Where Is He Now?
I remember watching Bruno Caboclo get drafted back in 2014, and the excitement around this "Brazilian Kevin Durant" was absolutely electric. When the Toronto Raptors selected him 20th overall, then-GM Masai Ujiri famously declared he was "two years away from being two years away" - a phrase that would haunt Caboclo's entire NBA journey. Looking at his career trajectory now, I can't help but draw parallels to what PLDT is facing as they enter uncharted territory in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference. Both represent projects with tremendous potential that require patience and the right environment to flourish.
Caboclo's early years in Toronto were exactly what Ujiri predicted - raw and developmental. He spent significant time with Raptors 905 in the G League, where he actually showed flashes of that tantalizing potential. I recall watching him during the 2017 G League Finals where he averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds, thinking this might be the turning point. His physical tools were undeniable - standing 6'9" with a 7'7" wingspan, he could theoretically defend multiple positions and stretch the floor. But the NBA game moves fast, and development isn't linear. The Raptors, competing at a high level, couldn't afford to give him consistent minutes to work through his mistakes.
His journey through the league became what I'd call a "what if" scenario. After Toronto, he bounced between Sacramento, Houston, and Memphis. With the Grizzlies in the 2019-20 season, he actually showed some promising signs, averaging 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 34 games. I remember thinking this might finally be his breakthrough moment, but then injuries and roster changes derailed that momentum. What fascinates me about Caboclo's story is how it reflects the challenges PLDT faces as they become the new benchmark in Philippine volleyball. Both situations involve organizations betting on potential and working through the growing pains that come with elevated expectations.
The comparison might seem unusual, but hear me out. When you're suddenly thrust into that "barometer for success" position like PLDT finds themselves, every move gets magnified. Caboclo experienced this magnification from day one because of his draft position and that infamous quote. Every G League performance was overanalyzed, every NBA minute scrutinized. I've seen this pattern repeatedly in sports - when the label of "potential" gets attached too early, it can become more burden than blessing. PLDT will need to navigate similar pressures where every lineup change and strategic decision will be dissected because they're now the standard others measure themselves against.
Currently, Caboclo has found his groove overseas, most recently playing for France's LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. His numbers there have been solid - last season he averaged 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 38% from three-point range. Watching his European highlights, I see a much more polished player than the raw prospect who entered the league nearly a decade ago. His game has matured, his decision-making has improved, and he's found a system that utilizes his unique skill set. This overseas success story reminds me that sometimes players need to step away from the NBA spotlight to truly develop, similar to how some teams need to redefine their identity away from immediate championship expectations.
What strikes me about Caboclo's current situation is that he's become exactly the player many projected, just not in the NBA context. At 28 years old, he's in his prime basketball years, contributing meaningfully to a top European club. His journey illustrates an important lesson about player development paths - they're rarely straightforward. The "two years away" prophecy became somewhat self-fulfilling because development isn't just about physical skills but also about finding the right situation at the right time. PLDT's upcoming challenge in the PVL mirrors this reality - they'll need the right pieces, the right system, and probably some luck to meet their new status as conference barometers.
Reflecting on Caboclo's NBA tenure, I believe his main struggle was timing more than talent. Coming into the league right before the positionless basketball revolution, teams weren't quite sure how to utilize a player with his unique combination of size and skills. Today, his prototype is exactly what teams covet - switchable defenders who can space the floor. This timing issue resonates with PLDT's current position - they're entering their reinforced conference at a time when Philippine volleyball is evolving rapidly, and being the benchmark means they'll need to anticipate where the game is heading, not just where it currently stands.
The most encouraging part of Caboclo's story is that he's carved out a respectable professional career despite not meeting initial NBA expectations. He's made over $12 million in his career, played for multiple NBA teams, and now stars in one of Europe's top leagues. That's a success story by any reasonable measure, even if it didn't match the initial hype. As PLDT embarks on their new role as PVL's success barometer, they could learn from Caboclo's resilience - sometimes the path to success involves adapting to circumstances rather than rigidly sticking to initial projections.
Where is Bruno Caboclo now? He's thriving in Europe, playing meaningful basketball, and likely enjoying the game without the overwhelming pressure of his early NBA days. His journey serves as a valuable case study in athlete development and expectation management. For PLDT, his story offers lessons in patience, adaptation, and the understanding that being the standard-bearer comes with unique challenges that require both strategic vision and flexibility. The measure of success, whether for an individual athlete or an organization, often lies in the ability to navigate uncharted territory while staying true to core strengths - something Caboclo eventually mastered, just not in the way anyone initially anticipated.
