The Toronto Raptors only had one draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but they were largely considered to have hit a home run by taking Arizona center Christian Koloko at No. 33 overall. Even though he is a bit of a work in progress, his talent is obvious.
Koloko has officially wrapped up Summer League play. While there were some challenging moments offensively, Raptors fans should love the fact that his defense appeared to be every bit as good as advertised. He might take some time to work with, but the skills are plentiful.
Masai Ujiri seems to have responded to the chorus of fans who begged Toronto to add a seven-footer, as the towering Koloko will undoubtedly help the Raptors be a better defensive team in the paint. He just needs the right person to believe in him and accentuate his talents.
Raptors fans may need to wait a year or two before they see the full fruits of Toronto’s labor regarding Koloko, but he will be well worth that patience. Fans have every right to think that Koloko can eventually become someone who contributes to a contending team in a significant way.
3 reasons Toronto Raptors fans should be hyped for Christian Koloko.
3. His ceiling on offense
The Raptors drafted Koloko knowing that he would need some time in Mississauga. He needs to develop the touch around the rim that a seven-footer needs to succeed in the league. While that might take some time, fans have already seen flashes of success.
Koloko has shown a reasonably solid shooting form in limited Summer League time, showing that the potential for rapid improvement still exists. Considering their recent run of success with big men in this area, Koloko might end up shooting well sooner rather than later.
Toronto Raptors: Christian Koloko will evolve into a quality scorer.
Scottie Barnes went from someone who looked scared to shoot 3-pointers in college to a respectable deep sniper. Precious Achiuwa went from a complete non-factor from beyond the 3-point line to someone who kicked the second unit right in the rear during the latter half of the season.
Raptors fans expecting immediate returns might be disappointed. Still, imagining Koloko with some pick-and-pop ability and an excellent face-up game should help fans feel more confident in Toronto’s long-term outlook. Koloko will get there eventually; he just needs some 905 pixie dust first.
2. His connection with Pascal Siakam
Koloko will become just the fifth Cameroonian NBA player in history when he makes his debut. The fact that he is starting his career alongside Siakam, with whom Koloko shares a very personal connection intertwined with his homeland, is going to make his rise even more fun to follow.
Siakam remains an influential force in Cameroon, both through inspiring hope and providing more tangible assistance through charity. Koloko and Siakam have known each other for years, which could help establish an indomitable frontcourt for years to come.
Christian Koloko and Pascal Siakam will both help the Toronto Raptors.
Siakam is many things, but he could stand to be a bit more dominant in the restricted area as a rim protector. One way to guard against Siakam’s shortcomings in that area is a 7-foot freak athlete with the power needed to hold opposing big men at bay.
Far be it from me to suggest that Koloko and Siakam will have similar levels of success in the NBA. However, Siakam was able to make the jump from New Mexico State to NBA stardom. With so much college pedigree, Koloko could learn at the feet of Siakam and unleash his skills on an unweary league relatively soon.
1. His defense
If Koloko is anything, he’s a tremendous defender who has already been honored as such at the collegiate level. Even though his Summer League offense was a talking point, his defensive skill was evident to even some of the unaffiliated fans in Las Vegas.
Koloko averaged more than two blocks and two steals per game in Summer League competition. The most impressive part of his defense is the versatility. Anchoring in the paint is one thing, but Koloko is able to hold his own out on the perimeter. That’s rare for someone with his bulk.
Christian Koloko will impact the Toronto Raptors on defense.
It’s been tough to find a seven-footer that can fit in with Toronto’s scheme. Where else can you find someone that can both block shots and handle himself when drawn away from the basket? Koloko might be able to fill that role on an NBA level if he manages to continue adding weight and short-area quickness.
As proved with the Barnes selection and Achiuwa trade, Toronto’s front office has decided that teaching the correct jump shot form is much easier than taking a defensively-deficient player and turning them into a star. Koloko’s innate ability will make him that much easier to bring along.