Caboclo striving to be Brazil's driving force

JAKARTA (Indonesia) - Bruno Caboclo is competing at a FIBA Basketball World Cup for a second time with Brazil, but the circumstances are a little different this time around.

At the 2019 edition, Caboclo finished the tournament with averages of 5.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in five appearances with Brazil exiting at the Second Round stage.

"IT MEANS SO MUCH. PLAYING FOR YOUR COUNTRY IS UNREAL AND HARD TO DESCRIBE."

"I learned a lot [from that tournament]," he reflected. "But we also had a lot of veteran players like [Anderson] Varejao and [Leandro] Barbosa - they showed you how you are supposed to do it. You have to be serious. This is the biggest stage of basketball and where everyone likes to be."

Now older, wiser and with greater belief himself, Caboclo has taken on the mantle as one of the key pieces of the puzzle for this Brazil team that has a blend of youth and experience.

The 27-year-old's production has increased with an efficient 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in First Round action that included a TCL Player of the Game performance as well as a solid double-double against Spain.

It's a role that quickly became more important as the South Americans were dealt a cruel blow in their opening game when starting guard Raul Neto went down to a tournament-ending knee injury. Everyone needs to step up, and Caboclo does not shirk the responsibility of doing what the team needs.

"I wanted to become a big role for this team, both offensively and defensively," he stated. "I can change a lot how the game goes. I just need to be smart with my decisions and hold my team accountable.

"It means so much to play for the national team. To share the court with my friends, every time the love just grows. It's difficult to explain - playing for your country is unreal and hard to describe."

Brazil's number 50 is retuning his career somewhat after making just over 100 appearances in the NBA in a seven-year span having been a first round pick in the 2014 Draft. Caboclo has since played in Europe as well as back home in Brazil - winning the BCL Americas title with Sao Paulo in 2022 before helping ratiopharm Ulm secure a Championship crown in Germany last season.

Success breeds confidence. Caboclo has established that winning habit from his various globetrotting expeditions with his versatility an advantage in coming up against the different styles of the global game.

"I think my experience in basketball helps. In the world, there's so many different types of basketball style. That is important to play in this tournament. Everyone plays different so when you have an idea, it helps a lot.”

Caboclo highlighted making the Olympics as the primary target ahead of the tournament, and Brazil's Paris aspirations face a major test in the coming days, likely needing to beat Canada to stay in contention.

"We have high expectations. We didn't have much time together, but we are getting better. We have more respect from other teams, and I think that's a good sign.

"We just have to play strong, no matter the situation."

FIBA