Bruno Fernando

Bruno Afonso David Fernandes, professionally known as Bruno Fernando, was born on the 15th of August, 1998, in Luanda, Angola. A prodigious Angolan basketball player, Bruno Fernando plays for the Toronto Raptors in the esteemed National Basketball Association (NBA). An illustrious precedent for his country, Fernando is the first Angolan who got into the NBA.

Bruno Fernando’s sports journey began in the streets of his hometown, Luanda, Angola, where he started playing basketball. His career took an auspicious turn when he participated in the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship, representing the Angolan national team. His exceptional skill level in the game earned him attention from the scouts in the United States.

In the subsequent year, Fernando decided to move to the U.S and joined the Montverde Academy in Florida. April 2016 saw his commitment to Southern Methodist University, a decision he re-evaluated the following month, moving into the Class of 2017. Fernando went on to spend the 2016-17 season at IMG Academy, located in Bradenton, Florida. By October of the same year, Bruno Fernando was seen committing to the University of Maryland, having considered other esteemed universities like Auburn and Alabama.

Fernando’s debut game for Maryland was against Stony Brook on November 10th, 2017. Coming off the bench, he contributed ten points, two rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal, within a span of 13 minutes of playing time. His performance garnered him acclaim with the Big Ten Freshman of the Week title on January 8th, 2018, With remarkable performances, he managed to average 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, which led to the bestowment of the All-Big Ten Freshman honors.

At the end of his phenomenal freshman season, Fernando declared for the NBA draft and participated in the NBA Draft Combine in 2018. However, he withdrew and returned to Maryland to perfect his craft. Fernando’s breakthrough came in 2019 when he was selected as the 34th pick of the NBA draft by Philadelphia 76ers, thereby becoming the first Angolan to be drafted in the NBA.

The Atlanta Hawks soon traded off Fernando, and he made his NBA debut on October 24th, 2019 against the Detroit Pistons. His multiple NBA assignments included the College Park Skyhawks, but his career faced a setback due to the untimely demise of his mother in January 2020.

Come 2021, Fernando faced a suspension of one game without pay over an altercation during the match between the Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers. While faced with obstacles, his career escalated forward with consecutive trades to the Boston Celtics and then to the Houston Rockets.

Fernando’s performances have been robust, resulting in a two-way deal with the Rockets in 2022. The deal transformed into a four-year contract worth $10.9 million. However, in another turn of events, he joined the Atlanta Hawks once again the following year in exchange for players Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and future draft picks.

Despite the upheaval in his career in 2024, when he was released by the Hawks, fortune favored Fernando once again as he was recruited by the Toronto Raptors.

Bruno Fernando has a strong legacy with the Angolan national team, participating in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade in 2016. His average of 18.3 points, 6.6 boards, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game spotlighted his contribution to Angola’s gold win at the 2016 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship. His hiatus from representing his motherland ended in August 2022 when he returned for Angola’s World Cup qualifiers.