3 Raptors who have earned a spot on the 2023-24 roster
By Mike Luciano
2. C Christian Koloko
Second-round picks are guaranteed next to nothing in the NBA, as even those picked near the top part of the round like Koloko can be axed if they start to slip up in their development. Koloko may have been sent to the G League and seen his role reduced after the deadline, but he still had his moments on the floor.
3.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game are by no means world-shattering numbers, but the fact he has blocked over one shot per game shows the defensive potential the 7-1 big has in his lanky frame. Koloko could be an ideal Jakob Poeltl stand-in next season and beyond.
The Toronto Raptors must keep developing Christian Koloko.
Koloko was thoroughly dominant in his time with Raptors 905, but it is on the Raptors to make sure that all the positivity he has shown does not go to waste. After all, Dalano Banton was tearing it up down in Mississauga before reverting to another substandard form in the pros.
Koloko is a major work in progress offensively, but his defense has been sparkling this season. If Poeltl was able to refine his skillset into such a dynamic skillset that he is a few months away from a payday close to nine figures, why can’t Koloko do the same?