Meet the newest member of the Toronto Raptors — Christian Koloko.
Selected No. 33 overall in the first-round of the 2022 NBA Draft, Koloko is a seven footer, who played college basketball for three years at the University of Arizona. In his junior year, Koloko was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Pac-12 Most Improved Player and he also made first-team All-Pac-12.
Koloko joins a Toronto team that overcame a slow start and injuries to make it to the playoffs. The Raptors did lose in the first-round though, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.
For the Raptors, Koloko likely won't make an immediate impact as he seems more in line for one of Toronto's long-term projects. Of note though, Koloko hails from Douala, Cameroon, which is the same hometown of versatile Raptors forward Pascal Siakam.
That’s Pascal Siakam posing for a picture a few years back with newest Raptor and fellow Douala, Cameroon native Christian Koloko. pic.twitter.com/7arsvBS7Vo
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) June 24, 2022
MORE: Winners and losers in 2022 NBA Draft
Who did the Raptors draft in 2022?
The Raptors had just one draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and it was only a second rounder at No. 33 overall as they had no selections in the first-round.
Here's who the Raptors selected No. 33 overall:
- Who the Raptors drafted: Christain Koloko
- Koloko's college: University of Arizona
- Koloko's height: 7 feet 1 inch
- Koloko's weight: 230 pounds
- Koloko's age: 22 years old
- Koloko's averages at Arizona: 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.8 blocks in 25.4 minutes a game
As noted above, Koloko played three years at Arizona, improving each year and became the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Most Improved Player in his junior year.
What does Nick Nurse think of Raptors 2022 draft pick?
As you probably expected, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse is thrilled to add a player like Koloko to Toronto's roster.
Talking with reporters on Thursday, Nurse liked what he saw from Koloko on the defensive end and believes the seven-footer can help the Raptors offensively as a lob threat.
"Good shot blocker. Really good defensive numbers. ... Pretty decent pick-and-roll player. And he's got good feet. ... I think he's not without the ability to do some switching and move on the perimeter as well." - Nick Nurse on 33rd pick Christian Koloko
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) June 24, 2022
"He's a more modern lob threat, rim-protector type of centre. He's not a banging, post-up type of guy." - Nurse on Koloko
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) June 24, 2022
"If he protects the rim as well as I think he does, it gives you a chance to be even more aggressive on the perimeter." - Nurse
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) June 24, 2022
Despite Nurse's enthusiasm, many Raptors experts believe that team will mainly develop Koloko through their G-League affiliate, the Raptors 905.
Could see a scenario where Koloko is up and down Raps to 905 as injuries/rotations dictate. They'll want him getting ample reps down there to expand the offensive package and confidence, but his defense could help in the near-term, to where he can fight for minutes.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 24, 2022
No matter where Koloko actually plays, it's quite clear that the Raptors are happy to have him and believe he can be a big asset to the team in the future.