Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2019 Bruno Fernando, the first Angolan player to reach the NBA, is now a power forward with the Toronto Raptors. After previous spells with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, Fernando’s recent move to Toronto has attracted attention.
Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reported that Fernando’s new contract is non-guaranteed, which means he will need to earn his place on the roster during training camp.
Fernando, who was the 24th pick in the draft from Maryland, became a free agent after the Hawks waived him, leading to his signing with the Raptors. In his 45 games with the Hawks, he averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. His best performance came with the Rockets, where he averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 10 games. However, his stats dropped with the Celtics, where he averaged only 1.0 points in 20 games.
Bruno Fernando’s Path to the Raptors
Bruno Fernando, the first player from Angola to join the NBA and drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2019, is currently a power forward for the Toronto Raptors. Following previous tenures with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, Fernando’s latest move to Toronto has sparked interest.
According to Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, Fernando’s new contract is non-guaranteed, meaning he will need to secure a spot on the roster during training camp.
After being waived by the Hawks, Fernando, the 24th pick from Maryland, became a free agent and subsequently signed with the Raptors. During his time with the Hawks, he averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game across 45 games. His most notable performance was with the Rockets, where he averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 10 games.
Bruno Fernando’s International Experience
Beyond his NBA career, Bruno Fernando has excelled in international basketball competitions. He first gained recognition at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Dubai, where he represented Angola. A significant milestone came during the 2016 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship, where Fernando played a key role in leading Angola to a gold medal, averaging 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game.
In an exclusive interview with FIBA.basketball, Fernando reflected on his experience playing for Angola, noting, “It’s a new experience, a completely different level. Everything is new for me as a player; the expectations and accountability are different.” His journey has been historic, as he became the first Angolan player to be drafted, participate in the playoffs, and reach the Conference Finals in the NBA.
Fernando began his basketball journey with Primeiro de Agosto in Angola, a country renowned for its passion for the sport. At the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp, where he is coaching under Raptors president Masai Ujiri, Fernando is engaging with top teenage talent from across the continent. He expressed his enthusiasm about being involved, saying, “This is something I’ve always wanted to do… It’s special to me – it’s very important to be part of something with such a significant impact on the continent.”
The Future for Bruno Fernando
As Fernando gears up for his new chapter with the Raptors, his journey remains one of personal and professional growth, extending beyond the court. His time in Toronto will be closely monitored as he strives for a roster spot and further establishes his legacy as a pioneer for Angolan basketball.
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