The Toronto Raptors pulled off far and away the biggest surprise of the 2014 NBA Draft when they made Brazilian small forward/power forward Bruno Caboclo the 20th-overall pick on Thursday night.
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At 19 years old, Caboclo is the youngest player in the draft.
Caboclo hails from Osasco, Sao Paolo, Brazil and stands at 6’9 and 200 lbs. with a reported wingspan of 7’7.
Caboclo is obviously extremely raw, having barely played this season in the Brazilian League.
Bruno Caboclo averaged 13 minutes per game in 17 appearances in the Brazilian league this season.
— Rafael Uehara (@rafael_uehara) June 27, 2014
Fran Fraschilla of ESPN.com described him as the “Brazlian Kevin Durant,” but went on to call him “two years away from being two years.” This is clearly a move that surprised everyone. Caboclo has no page on Draft Express and is not listed in the NBA Draft guide the league hands out so Raptors’ general manager Masai Ujiri, who has a fantastic track record, is really going out on a limb with this pick.
Bold move from Toronto GM Masai Ujiri, taking little-known Brazilian Bruno Caboclo with the 20th pick.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) June 27, 2014
Although Caboclo could develop into a player at some point, that won’t happen for some time (if it does) and with both Raptors’ point guards, starter Kyle Lowry and his backup Greivis Vasquez set to become free agents next week, the Raptors likely should have opted for some immediate help. To be fair, they had their eyes on former Syracuse Orange point guard Tyler Ennis, who was selected by the Phoenix Suns. Still, when you had a season like the Raptors did (They went 48-34 and won the Atlantic Division), you’d like a player who could compete for playing time some time in the near future.
Grade: D