The Toronto Raptors have announced the signing of Bruno Fernando to enhance their roster ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. The 25-year-old center is coming off the most productive season of his five-year NBA career, showing his potential and skill set with the Atlanta Hawks.
Fernando’s 2023-24 season with the Hawks was a breakout year. He averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, while maintaining an impressive 58.3% shooting percentage from the field in 45 appearances. This performance marked a significant improvement over his career averages of 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, highlighting his development and readiness for a larger role.
Drafted 34th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Fernando has had stints with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. Over his five-year career, he has appeared in 203 regular-season games and six playoff games, gaining valuable experience and demonstrating his ability to contribute at the highest level.
Fernando was part of the Hawks’ squad that reached the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, giving him insight into the intensity and competitiveness of the NBA playoffs.
He joins the Raptors with a chance to secure the 15th roster spot as he enters training camp alongside Quincy Guerrier and Jamison Battle. The competition for this position shows the Raptors’ intent to bring in players who can make an impact and help them return to playoff contention.
Jay Rosales of That’s A Rap Podcast highlighted the significance of this opportunity, noting that the Raptors can invite one more player to their training camp. Fernando is young and experienced at the same time, making him an intriguing candidate for the team as they look to bolster their frontcourt and improve on last season’s performance.
At 25 years old, Fernando is still in the developmental phase of his career, and the Raptors see potential in his ability to further refine his skills. His size, athleticism, and efficiency in the paint can provide the team with much-needed depth and versatility at the center position.
Known for his defensive presence and rebounding ability, Fernando could fill a critical role for the Raptors, who are keen to strengthen their interior defense and provide a consistent scoring option in the post.
The Raptors are coming off a season where they fell short of making the playoffs, and Fernando’s signing represents part of a broader strategy to revamp their roster and build a competitive team. His previous experience with playoff teams like the Hawks could also bring valuable insights and a winning mentality to the locker room.
Fernando’s addition to the Raptors highlights the team’s commitment to developing young talent while maintaining a competitive edge. As he heads into training camp, Fernando has the opportunity to prove his worth and secure a place on the final roster, which could significantly impact the Raptors’ success in the upcoming season.
