3 player comparisons for Raptors draft pick Christian Koloko

High-End: Jakob Poeltl

The Raptors love Poeltl so much that they drafted someone in the same archetypal mold. The 7-1 Austrian has finally started to become an All-Defensive type of rim protector with the Spurs in 2022, and Koloko could be on a similar trajectory if he plays his cards right.

While he has the height and shot-blocking acumen to mirror Poeltl, what will really set Koloko apart is his unique mobility for a big man with his level of girth. Look no further than the Oregon game, where he routinely showed he could switch onto guards when needed.

The Toronto Raptors could find another Jakob Poeltl.

Poeltl is never going to be a 20-point per game scorer, but 13.5 points last year with San Antonio isn’t an unfair projection for what Koloko could do if he checks every developmental box along the way. Even in limited time with Arizona, Koloko’s power in the paint on offense was noteworthy.

The fact that Toronto is trying to acquire Poeltl so ferociously shows that they still have a thing for centers that are that big if their mobility is up to par. Much like Poeltl, giving Koloko tons of time to iron out the kinks in his game and accentuate his strengths could be a recipe for making him a double-double machine.