Checking In On The Memphis Grizzlies At The FIBA World Cup

4. Bruno Caboclo

Grizzlies small forward Bruno Caboclo has helped Team Brazil jump off to a 2-0 start, playing a particularly important role in a victory against Greece and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. With 2.1 seconds left in the game and Brazil clinging to a 79-78 lead, Greece’s Koustas Sloukas missed a free throw that would have tied the game. Untouched, Caboclo soared to the rim, tapped the rebound out to his teammate Christiano Felicio, and allowed time to expire, securing Brazil’s upset over Greece.

Aside from his late-game heroics against Greece, Caboclo has played some good overall basketball, averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in a little under 29 minutes per game. Bruno joins a Brazil roster full of former NBA talent, such as Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa, and he undoubtedly has a lot of positive experience to gain from playing in the World Cup.