Drafted in 2019 by the Atlanta Hawks, Bruno Fernando, the first player from Angola to join the NBA, currently plays power forward for the Toronto Raptors. After stints with the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets, Fernando’s latest move to Toronto has sparked interest.
Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca confirmed that the deal is not guaranteed, meaning Fernando will have to compete for a roster spot during training camp.
Fernando, the 24th overall pick out of Maryland, became a free agent after being released by the Hawks, which led to him signing with the Raptors. In his last 45 games for the Hawks, Fernando averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. His best career output came with the Rockets, where he averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in 10 games. However, his performance declined during his time with the Celtics, averaging just 1.0 points in 20 games.
Bruno Fernando’s Journey to the Raptors
Head coach of the Toronto Raptors Darko Rajaković told ESPN Rajaković said the decision to sign Fernando from the Hawks was an easy one. “I like the fact that he plays really hard. I like the fact that he wants to win. He’s a team player. He wants to help the team win in any way he can,” he added. Rajaković also pointed to Fernando’s defensive versatility and underrated passing ability as key reasons he came to Toronto.
Rajaković confirmed that the Raptors had been tracking Fernando for some time and when the opportunity to sign him presented itself, they acted quickly. “We just found out he was released by Atlanta and we jumped on him right away,” Rajaković told ESPN. “Obviously, we’ve been following him for years now and we know a lot about him.”
Fernando is currently in Johannesburg for Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa, where he confirmed his move to the Raptors. “I signed yesterday (Friday) for the Toronto Raptors,” Fernando said. The non-guaranteed contract means he will report to camp and fight for a roster spot.
Bruno Fernando’s international experience
Beyond his NBA career, Fernando has been a standout player in international competitions. He made his debut at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Dubai, representing Angola. His second appearance at the 2016 Under-18 Africa Championship was a turning point, where he helped Angola clinch 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 shared his experience as an Angolan player, saying: “It’s a new experience, it’s a whole new level. Everything is new for me as a player; the level of expectations is different; the responsibility is different.” Fernando’s journey has been historic, as he became the first Angolan to be selected, play in the playoffs and reach the conference finals in the NBA.
Fernando grew up playing for Primeiro de Agosto in Angola, one of the most basketball-focused countries in Africa. At BWB Africa, he coaches at a camp led by Raptors President Masai Ujiri that brings together the best young basketball talent from across Africa. Fernando expressed his excitement about being a part of the camp, saying, “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do… It’s special to me – it means a lot to be a part of something that has such a huge impact on the continent.”
The future of Bruno Fernando
As Fernando prepares for the next chapter of his career with the Raptors, the journey continues to be one of growth and impact, both on and off the court. His presence in Toronto will be closely watched as he fights for a roster spot and continues to build on his legacy as a pioneer of Angolan basketball.
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