The FIBA Americup got underway this weekend in South America, and although the stakes are generally low, an incident involving the Brazilian National Team is sure to raise even more questions about one fringe NBA player who’s still trying to secure his place in the league.
The Raptors’ 2014 first-round pick, Bruno Caboclo, has played sparingly for the team the past three years and has spent most of his time in the D-League. He played well for Brazil in their opening round match in Columbia, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but an argument with his coach during the Mexico game now has him kicked off the team indefinitely.
Via FIBA.com:
According to [Brazil coach Renato] Lamas, Caboclo refused to enter the game twice after being told to do so by Coach César Guidetti.
“After some type of disappointment —to which I have no knowledge— he refused to return to the game after being summoned by the coach. For me, it’s an offense, a serious act of indiscipline,” said Lamas.
“We talked to him, but he refused again. We want players that want to be with the National Team… He’s leaving. He’ll be out for an undetermined amount of time,” Lamas added.
Caboclo took to Instagram on Sunday to apologize to fans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYTWXZXndpt/
Still, it doesn’t bode well for player who has yet to make an impression on his current NBA team. It was unclear whether Caboclo will be permanently kicked off the team, but Lamas went on to add that he would be leaving Columbia on Sunday.
(FIBA.com)
