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3 player comparisons for Raptors draft pick Christian Koloko

By Mike Luciano

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: A general view as Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announces Christian Koloko as the 33rd pick by the Toronto Raptors during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: A general view as Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announces Christian Koloko as the 33rd pick by the Toronto Raptors during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors managed to use their second-round selection in the 2022 NBA Draft on an up-and-coming center prospect in Arizona’s Christian Koloko. Knowing that the team needed some rim protection, Masai Ujiri moved quickly to get someone that could fill that void.

Despite Koloko averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game in the Pac-12 while being named Defensive Player of the Year, he slipped to the second round due to some concerns about his offensive game and age for a rookie. Nonetheless, Toronto saw a fit.

While Koloko should be expected to firmly assert himself as a quality member of the rotation at some point in 2022-23, we likely won’t see the full extent of what he will become until a few years pass. He is going to be another developmental gamble who could emerge if given enough time to beef up.

The Raptors expect Koloko to be the rim protector and interior finisher they needed last year. If Toronto can turn a second-round pick into any one of these three players by the time his career ends, Ujiri can hang his hat on yet another successful summer.

3 player comparisons for Toronto Raptors draft pick Christian Koloko.

Low-End: Alex Len

Considering the fact that he came into the NBA as a No. 5 overall pick in the same year Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted, Len’s career has generally been very disappointing. However, Koloko could end up with a similarly long career if he follows this developmental path.

Len has averaged 7.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his career while being a somewhat reliable defender and rebounder. While never a dominant starter, Len provides enough value as a rotational backup to be able to bounce from team to them over a decade-long span.

Toronto Raptors: Christian Koloko may become an Alex Len-type player.

Len never became what everyone thought due to a lack of offensive refinement that made him a minimal threat outside of the post. Even if Koloko never becomes a tremendous scorer, he should be able to stick in the pros in the same way that Len did.

Len has the misfortune of moving between a bunch of teams who never truly competed for the playoffs. Putting that style of play on a squad like the Raptors destined for some playoff success in the next few seasons could help Toronto get some much-needed depth while Koloko survives in the pros.