By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Brazil coach Aco Petrovic commented on Bruno Caboclo leaving his team Partizan Belgrade to travel to Orlando, USA without permision from the club a few days before the launch of the Serbian League Finals vs. Crvena Zvezda.
“Regarding the new situation with Caboclo and Partizan, I can only inform you that he and Yago [dos Santos] have an obligation to report for the preparation of the Brazilian national team, on the same day and after completing their duties in the Serbian championship,” Petrovic tweeted.
According to Partizan, Caboclo left the team to make the trip to Orlando without providing any notice, “allegedly due to obligations with the Brazilian national team,” hence the clarification that Petrovic wanted to make. The Croatian coach is expecting Caboclo and Zvezda guard Yago dos Santos to show up in training camp ahead of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament of Riga, Latvia that tips off on July 2.
Partizan has opened discplinary proceedings against Caboclo. The Serbian powerhouse mentioned that there are no financial obligation towards the big man, to “avoid any speculation.”
Even if Caboclo returns in time for Game 1 of the Finals against Partizan’s archrival Red Star, it’s highly doubtful that he’ll be included on the squad, despite the team’s several absences. center Frank Kaminsky, guard/forward PJ Dozier and swingman James Nunnally are already out since their contracts have expired.
Caboclo averaged 9.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in the EuroLeague with Partizan, along with 7.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in the ABA League. His team was swept by Zvezda 3-0 in the ABA Finals.