While no longer reasonably as uncooked a basketball discovery tale as the only in Adam Sandler’s contemporary Netflix hit Hustle, Bruno Fernando’s dream upward thrust from promising teenage talent in Luanda to the NBA nonetheless gives greater than a touch of Hollywood magic.
Fernando is the primary and, up to now, simplest Angolan ever to play on basketball’s largest degree – and the Houston Rockets forward-centre believes it’s only a question of time prior to his footsteps are adopted.
“I represent Angola with a lot of love, a lot of passion,” the 24-year-old instructed BBC Sport Africa.
“Hopefully that opens the door and more guys can come in. I’d love to have another guy from Angola play in the NBA so that we could exchange jerseys – that’s an experience I’d look forward to.
“I’m rooting for them, cheering for them and hoping they’re ready to make it occur.”
Angola have been historic heavyweights in continental basketball, winning a record 11 men’s AfroBasket titles in a period of almost unchallenged dominance between 1989 and 2013.
For the past decade, the team has struggled but Fernando – who will be entering his fourth year in the NBA when the new season tips off on Tuesday – is hoping his experiences can help usher in a new era of success for the country’s basketballers.
‘Coaching by way of Siri’
Fernando was spotted playing for his country at the 2014 Fiba Under-17 World Championships in Dubai.
After an impressive showing against a USA team containing current Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum and Toronto Raptors guard-forward Josh Jackson, Fernando was snapped up by the IMG Academy in Florida.
“It used to be arduous in the start. I did not talk the language and that used to be the largest barrier,” Fernando recollects.
“I did not perceive anything else anyone mentioned to me.
“During the games I remember our coach used to speak to Siri [on his mobile phone] and have Siri translate during timeouts. It was pretty tough, but I’m extremely grateful for those guys and all they did.”
After driving out a hard creation to existence in the States, Fernando’s self assurance temporarily grew and in 2016 the prodigious teen gave the impression on Angolan TV, predicting that he can be drafted to the NBA in 2019.
Many eyebrows had been raised however, 3 years later, that daring prophecy used to be fulfilled because the Atlanta Hawks decided on the Angolan.
After first of all getting sport time, alternatively, the mins dried up and he used to be traded to the Boston Celtics in 2021.
Rocketing ahead
This February, Fernando moved once more, aiming to rebuild his occupation with the Houston Rockets.
“I’m just thrilled that I’ve got another shot, another opportunity to continue to work and elevate my game,” he mentioned.
“It’s been a journey, a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t change anything about it. I’m happy and glad that it happened the way it did.
“There were just right and dangerous days – tricky moments. Those I simplest use to construct me up. As a participant it is simple to get stuck up in a spot and time and simply get started to evaluate your self with people and their adventure.
“But you need to realise that everybody has it different. I’ve always believed that the things that got me here were the reasons to keep me here.”
For now, Fernando is excited by making an have an effect on with the Rockets, for whom he has re-signed forward of the 2022-23 NBA season.
“Coming to Houston was like finding the light, I was in a very dark place,” Fernando explains. “Being able to come into a fresh energy, with a lot of young guys in a similar situation to myself, trying to solidify themselves in the league and establish themselves was refreshing.
“Being ready to play basketball and feature amusing, being like a child once more. It took me clear of the darkish position and helped me benefit from the sport of basketball once more.
“Houston is the perfect place for me at this stage of my career; the guys they’ve got, the organisation itself, everything they are building – I’m excited to see the future and where it goes.”
