Skip to content

Caboclo re-signs with Rockets

Pool / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Houston Rockets re-signed enigmatic forward Bruno Caboclo, the team announced Thursday.

The team also confirmed the signings of ex-Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown, undrafted Arkansas guard Mason Jones, and forward Jae'Sean Tate, most recently of Australia's Sydney Kings. Tate's deal is a two-way contract.

But of the four, it's Caboclo who remains a point of fascination for his persistence on the periphery of the NBA.

When the Toronto Raptors drafted him 20th overall in 2014, ESPN's Fran Fraschilla famously said Caboclo was such a raw prospect that he was "two years away from being two years away." With only 35 largely unremarkable appearances at the NBA level over Caboclo's first four seasons, even that conservative projection appeared overzealous in retrospect.

The gangly 6-foot-9 Brazilian stuck around the league long enough to enjoy a modest breakout season in 2018-19, putting up career highs in points (8.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (1.5), blocks (one), and 3-point percentage (36.9%) in 34 games with the Memphis Grizzlies.

His minutes dropped off to start 2019-20 and fell further after he was dealt to the Rockets at last season's trade deadline, but his new team evidently saw enough behind the scenes to warrant another chance. Now 25, Caboclo has a chance to appear in a seventh NBA season.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox