Former First-Round Bust Details Failed NBA Comeback Attempt

The first round of the NBA draft is typically where superstars are found, however, the draft has also produced its fair share of busts. One of basketball's biggest busts of the last decade is Bruno Caboclo, who the Toronto Raptors selected 20th overall at the 2014 draft.

Most NBA fans remember Caboclo from infamously being "two years from being two years away" because he left a minuscule impact on the court. He only played 105 games with four franchises before continuing his basketball career overseas where he's been playing since 2021.

Caboclo attempted to make an NBA comeback this offseason and held a private workout with several teams , but things didn't go as planned. On Monday, the 6-foot-9 Brazilian forward shared the details regarding his failed return.

"I was trying to go back to the NBA after the EuroLeague," Caboclo said in an interview with Greek publication SportsDNA. "But all the teams had signed all their players."

After failing to receive interest from NBA suitors, Caboclo ended up signing with Israeli basketball team Hapoel Tel Aviv. The 28-year-old veteran revealed that while joining the club was his "only option" to continue his playing career, it was also the "best" one.

"They were willing to wait for me because I was doing training with NBA teams," he said. "They kept the door open, so we worked it out and I'm happy to be here."

While playing with a new team can be daunting for some players, Caboclo is at least surrounded by a familiar face in former NBA point guard Patrick Beverley. Judging by an exhibition game they played together last week, the duo is already fostering some chemistry.

Although he struggled to carve out an NBA career for himself, Caboclo has played well on the international stage. He played 27 EuroLeague games with Serbia's Partizan BC last season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 63.7 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from deep.

A potential NBA comeback might be on pause for now, however, helping Hapoel Tel Aviv win a title could be what Caboclo needs to open the door again.