Toronto Raptors small forward and Brazil native Bruno Caboclo is apparently stirring up a bit of trouble on the international basketball circuit.
Renato Lamas, manager of the Brazilian National Team, spoke with FIBA.com over the weekend and revealed that Caboclo has been removed from the team after refusing to re-enter an AmeriCup game against Mexico on Saturday.
“After some type of disappointment —to which I have no knowledge— [Caboclo] refused to return to the game after being summoned by the coach,” said Lamas. “For me, it’s an offense, a serious act of indiscipline.
“We talked to him, but he refused again,” Lamas continued. “We want players that want to be with the National Team … He’s leaving. He’ll be out for an undetermined amount of time.”
Caboclo started the game for Brazil but finished with just three points in nine minutes of action in the 99-76 blowout defeat. He has since issued an apology on his Instagram account.
Still just 21 years old, Caboclo averaged 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.4 minutes per game across nine total appearances for Toronto last season.
Though they retained virtually their entire core this summer, the Raptors seem to have their more complementary players under a tighter microscope these days. Thus, it’s definitely worth wondering if this incident will at all affect Caboclo’s future with the team as he enters his 3rd NBA season still having failed to crack their rotation.
Image via Bruno Caboclo on Instagram
