Basketball News

Raul Neto happy to find an important role after leaving the NBA

As he starts the 2023 World Cup with Brazil today, against Iran, Raul Neto has decided to join the Old Continent next season, signing at Fenerbahce after eight seasons in the NBA.

“I had two years with the Washington Wizards where I played a lot. I was hoping to get a contract for several seasons. It didn’t happen” he explains to Eurohoopsin Indonesia.

After his good 2020/21 season, backing up Russell Westbrook, concluded with 8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 average assists in 22 minutes, Raul Neto hoped to commit to the long term with the capital franchise.

In the end, he was only entitled to a one-year contract, and his move to Cleveland last season caused him to drop further down the NBA hierarchy. Stuck at the end of the bench, he was only entitled to the crumbs…

Good for morale

“I just think that the NBA season is very complicated if you are not a “role player” (integrated in the rotation). It weighs on your morale. Because we play very littlehe details as well.

At 31, Raul Neto might have been able to find a spot as the third point guard in an NBA franchise for next season, but the opportunity to join a European heavyweight was too tempting.

“I’m at an age where I still have a lot of basketball in me and I think it’s the right time to come and play with Fenerbahce, one of the biggest teams in Europe. I am very happy with my choice. »

The Brazilian is therefore eager to be a “major player” in his new team, even if he knows that his status as an NBA player who arrives in Europe does not ultimately guarantee him anything.

“I know I’m going to have to perform. It is not because I played in the NBA or by my name that I will impose myself. And I don’t have guaranteed minutes. This is one of the conversations I had with coach Dimitris Itoudis. I know I have to perform. It’s a big challenge and a big opportunity for me. »

Raulzinho Neto Percentage Bounces
Season Team GM Minimum Shots 3 points LF Off Def Early pd party Int bp CT Points
2015-16 UTH 81 19 43.1 39.5 74.3 0.2 1.3 1.5 2.2 1.5 0.8 1.4 0.0 5.9
2016-17 UTH 40 9 45.1 32.3 88.9 0.1 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.1 2.5
2017-18 UTH 41 12 45.7 40.4 74.3 0.2 1.0 1.2 1.8 0.9 0.3 0.9 0.1 4.5
2018-19 UTH 37 13 46.0 33.3 84.8 0.2 1.5 1.7 2.5 1.3 0.4 1.0 0.1 5.3
2019-20 PHL 54 12 45.5 38.6 83.0 0.2 0.9 1.1 1.8 0.9 0.4 0.9 0.1 5.1
2020-21 WAS 64 22 46.8 39.0 88.2 0.4 2.0 2.4 2.3 1.7 1.1 0.8 0.1 8.7
2021-22 WAS 70 20 46.3 29.2 76.9 0.2 1.7 1.9 3.1 1.5 0.8 1.1 0.0 7.5
2022-23 KEY 48 11 51.8 28.6 91.2 0.2 0.8 1.0 1.7 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.1 3.3
Total 435 16 45.8 36.1 81.2 0.2 1.3 1.5 2.1 1.3 0.6 0.9 0.1 5.7

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.

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