Raul Neto

Raul Neto's Biography

Raul “Raulzinho” Togni Neto, borne on the 19th of May, 1992, is a renowned Brazilian professional basketball player with an illustrious career that has seen him play for a number of top-tier clubs across continents. The athlete, who also holds an Italian passport, was originally inducted into the world of professional basketball in 2008 and since then, has left an indelible mark in the many leagues he has competed in.

Neto’s career started with Brazilian club Minas Tênis Clube in the 2008-09 FIBA Americas League. Despite being a novice, Neto proved his mettle, representing his performance in his first three seasons with the club; this effort led to him representing the World Team at the prestigious 2010 Nike Hoop Summit. Extending his impressive form, Neto snagged an average of 12.6 points and 2.2 assists per game in the 2010-11 season, leading Minas from the bench.

His outstanding contributions caught the attention of Spanish club Lagun Aro GBC, culminating in a signing for the 2011-12 season. While his average stats slightly lower than his previous season at 8.5 points and 2.9 assists per game, his consistent display led to a huge opportunity – the legendary basketball league, NBA.

Showcasing his upward trajectory, Neto found his name on the Atlanta Hawks’ draft card; picked 47th in the 2013 NBA Draft. However, in a twist of fortune, Neto was quickly traded to Utah Jazz on the same night. Despite the abrupt shift, Neto elected not to dive straight into American waters, returning to the Spanish club for another season.

While in Spain with UCAM Murcia, to whom he signed a three-year deal in 2014, Neto became more prepared for the NBA dream that awaited him. He left Murcia after the 2014-15 season for actualizing this dream, and on the 9th of July, 2015, Neto got his NBA break by signing with the Utah Jazz.

Wearing Jazz’s jersey, Neto made his NBA debut against the Detroit Pistons in October 2015, a game where he marked 8 points and 3 assists despite a narrow defeat. His exceptional performances earned him a place in the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge as a part of the World Team. Neto was also distinguished for his powerful performance against Boston Celtics in February 2016, where he scored his season-high of 15 points pushing Utah to a victory.

With fluctuations in his career that included brief moments with affiliates such as the Salt Lake City Stars and return to the Jazz, Neto stayed with the team until he was waived due to Mike Conley’s trade with Grizzlies. This move ushered in the next exciting chapter of his NBA journey; he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2019, and subsequently with the Washington Wizards in November 2020, participating in several Playoff matches.

However, his time on the NBA field concluded in 2022 when he joined Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year contract. His next career twist occurred in 2023 when he signed a one-year deal with Fenerbahçe Beko, although a knee injury during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup hindered his progress. Post-injury, he returned to his home country, signing up with Brazilian club Pinheiros Basquete in 2024.

Apart from his flourishing club career, Neto has also maintained a stellar international career as a significant player of the Brazilian national team. His remarkable leadership led the national U-18 team to finish runners-up at the 2010 FIBA Americas U-18 Championship, and he became the youngest member of the senior team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship. With shining performances across tournaments like the 2012 Summer Olympics, 2013 FIBA AmeriCup, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, Neto has become an established name in the basketball circuit and is remembered for his exceptional attacking play style and leadership on the court.