Raul Neto is not playing in the NBA or high-level EuroLeague rotations due to a series of catastrophic lower-body injuries that significantly altered his professional trajectory.
Between 2023 and 2025, Neto suffered a ruptured patellar tendon and multiple severe hamstring tears, leading to several contract terminations with clubs like Fenerbahçe and FC Barcelona.
Currently, he has successfully prioritized his health by signing with CB San Pablo Burgos in Spain. He remains an active, healthy player but has stepped away from the grueling elite spotlight to focus on consistent minutes and long-term physical recovery in a less demanding environment.
A Complete Timeline of Raul Neto’s Playing Status
Understanding why a veteran with eight years of experience in the world’s top basketball league suddenly vanished from major rotations requires a deep look at his medical history.
The following table provides a chronological breakdown of the setbacks that have defined his career since 2017.
| Date / Period | Injury / Reason | Duration Out | Affected Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2017 | Concussion | ~3 weeks | Utah Jazz |
| Mar 2018 | Fractured Wrist | ~6 weeks | Utah Jazz |
| Oct–Dec 2018 | Hamstring & Thigh Strains | ~2 months | Utah Jazz |
| Jan 2019 | Left Groin Strain | ~3 weeks | Utah Jazz |
| Mar 2023 | Left Hamstring Strain | ~10 days | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Aug 2023 – July 2024 | Ruptured Right Patellar Tendon | 11 months | Fenerbahçe |
| July 2024 | Left Thigh / Hamstring Strain | ~3 weeks | Brazil National Team |
| Dec 2024 | Adductor Groin Strain | 4 weeks | FC Barcelona |
| Dec 2024 – Mar 2025 | High-Grade Left Hamstring Tear | 3 months | FC Barcelona |
The narrative of Neto’s absence is not one of a lack of skill, but rather a persistent battle against his own physiology.
While he was highly effective as a reliable playmaker during his NBA tenure, the cumulative effect of these injuries eventually forced a shift in his career strategy.
How Nagging Injuries Impacted Neto’s NBA Tenure
Before the major catastrophic events of the mid-2020s, Neto was known for being a productive backup point guard who simply couldn’t stay on the floor for a full 82-game season.
His eight-year run included stints with the Jazz, 76ers, Wizards, and Cavaliers, where his playmaking was often overshadowed by recurring soft-tissue issues.
The 2017 Concussion and 2018 Wrist Fracture
In December 2017, Neto suffered a major blow to the head that placed him in the strict concussion protocol for roughly three weeks. This was followed shortly by a fractured wrist in March 2018, which effectively ended his regular season and sidelined him for six weeks.
These were “freak” basketball injuries, but they set a tone for the physical hurdles that would follow.
The 2018–19 “Repetitive Nightmare Loop”
The 2018–19 season was perhaps the most frustrating period of his early career. Neto entered a cycle of minor muscle strains that prevented him from building any rhythm.
He strained his hamstring in October, a thigh muscle in December, and his groin in January 2019. These collective setbacks cost him over 30 games and began to raise questions about his durability in a high-intensity league.
The Final NBA Chapter in Cleveland
By 2023, Neto was providing veteran leadership for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even then, a left hamstring strain in March 2023 kept him out for ten days.
While minor compared to what was coming, it signaled that his lower body remained susceptible to the high-torque movements required of an elite guard.
Why Did Raul Neto Leave the EuroLeague So Quickly?
Many fans wonder why Neto’s transition to the EuroLeague, which usually offers a slightly less grueling travel schedule than the NBA, did not result in a career resurgence.
The answer lies in a singular, devastating moment during international competition that derailed his high-profile move to Turkey.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup Disaster
On August 26, 2023, while playing for Brazil in their opening match against Iran, Neto slipped during a transition play. The result was a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee.
This is widely considered one of the most difficult injuries for a basketball player to recover from, as it directly impacts explosive jumping and lateral movement.
Fenerbahçe and the Immediate Contract Termination
Neto had just signed a lucrative, high-stakes contract with EuroLeague powerhouse Fenerbahçe Beko. However, because the injury was so severe—requiring surgery and an 11-month recovery window—he never played a single minute for the club.
While he was still in surgery, the team moved to terminate his contract, leaving him as a free agent without a clear path back to the court.
The Resilience of Neto During the 2024 Paris Olympics
The fact that Neto returned to professional basketball at all is a testament to his professional resilience. After nearly a year of grueling rehabilitation, he fought his way back to represent his country on the world stage, though the journey was far from smooth.
Rebuilding Rhythm in Brazil
To regain his conditioning, Neto returned to his native Brazil to play for the club team Pinheiros. This move was designed to test his knee in a controlled environment before attempting a return to the international stage.
His performance was enough to earn him a spot on the Brazilian roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Olympic Thigh Strain Setback
Just as he was preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, disaster struck again in the form of a severe left thigh and hamstring strain. He was sidelined for three weeks and was forced to play highly limited, heavily-wrapped minutes off the bench during the actual Olympic games.
Though he lacked his signature explosive speed, his presence on the roster was a victory in itself after the patellar rupture.
What Happened During Raul Neto’s Stint with FC Barcelona?
In late 2024, it appeared that Neto was finally heading back to the top of the European game. FC Barcelona, facing an injury crisis with their own playmaker, Nicolás Laprovíttola, signed Neto to a rest-of-season deal. What followed was a period described by many as “medical heartbreak”.
A Cascade of Muscle Failures
Within days of joining Barcelona’s training sessions, Neto suffered an adductor groin strain that kept him out for four weeks. He worked his way back to the court, but the return was tragically short-lived.
On December 27, 2024, in just his second game back against Crvena Zvezda, he suffered a high-grade tear to his left hamstring.
The Six-Minute Legacy and Final Exit
The statistical reality of Neto’s time in Barcelona is jarring: he played a grand total of six minutes on the court for the club. With a projected 12-week recovery window ahead of him, the club and the player reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract in January 2025.
This allowed Neto to return home to focus entirely on his health without the pressure of a mid-season EuroLeague race.
Where is Raul Neto Playing Today?
Despite the repeated setbacks in the EuroLeague and the NBA, Raul Neto has not retired. Instead, he has made a conscious, strategic decision to adjust his career goals to match his physical reality.
By stepping out of the high-stress spotlight, he has found a way to remain a functional professional athlete.
The Strategic Shift to San Pablo Burgos
Following his 2025 hamstring recovery, Neto signed a one-year deal with CB San Pablo Burgos in Spain for the 2025–26 season. This move was a deliberate choice to step away from the grueling schedules of the NBA and the elite-level pressure of the EuroLeague.
San Pablo Burgos offered him the opportunity to log consistent, safe developmental minutes to extend his career.
Current Health and Functional Status
As of the start of the current season, Neto has been officially cleared as healthy, active, and functional.
He serves as a vital part of the guard rotation in Spain’s Liga Endesa, providing the leadership and playmaking he was known for in the NBA, but in an environment that is more conducive to maintaining his long-term physical well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raul Neto’s Absence
Is Raul Neto retired from basketball?
No, Raul Neto is not retired. He is currently playing for CB San Pablo Burgos in Spain’s Liga Endesa. While he is no longer in the NBA or the EuroLeague, he remains an active professional player who has successfully recovered from a series of severe lower-body injuries.
Why did Barcelona release Raul Neto?
Barcelona and Neto mutually agreed to terminate his contract in January 2025. This decision was made because Neto suffered a high-grade hamstring tear that required at least 12 weeks of recovery.
Since the team needed an immediate replacement for their own injured players, keeping Neto on the roster for a three-month rehab period was not feasible for either party.
Can Raul Neto still return to the NBA?
While a return is theoretically possible given his talent, Neto has publicly stated that his current focus is on consistent playing time and health.
His move to a safer, development-focused league suggests he is prioritizing career longevity over a return to the high-intensity NBA environment.
Final Thoughts on Neto’s Professional Future
The story of Raul Neto is one of remarkable persistence. Most players would have retired after a complete patellar tendon rupture at the age of 31, especially when followed by multiple high-grade muscle tears.
Neto’s decision to continue his career at San Pablo Burgos illustrates a deep love for the game and a realistic understanding of his physical limitations.
By choosing a path that prioritizes stability over prestige, he has managed to remain “active and healthy” in one of the world’s most competitive domestic leagues.
For fans who remember him as the shifty, reliable playmaker in Utah or Washington, his current success in Spain is a rewarding final chapter in a career defined by overcoming the odds.
He may not be playing in the NBA today, but his presence on the court anywhere is a win for professional resilience.
