As the Toronto Raptors get prepared to finally make a decision on who they should select in the 2023 NBA Draft, it is worth remembering that this organization has had a history of (largely) drafting well and developing their own talent. With their lone draft choice last year, No. 33 overall, the Raptors took Arizona center Christian Koloko.
Considering that he was a double-double machine and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, the only reason the 7-1 shot-blocker fell that low was the fact NBA teams were scared away by how raw he was on the offensive end of the floor. Unfazed by that, Toronto took him.
Koloko was thrown right into the rotation instead of getting Raptors 905 time due to the lack of size on the roster, and he handled himself adequately for someone thrust into an uncomfortable situation. However, since development is not linear, Koloko was often relegated to the end of the bench.
With one full year under his belt, it is time to look back at what Koloko has done with the Raptors, figure out where he needs to improve, and asses if Toronto can count this selection as yet another draft victory for the Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster regime.
Christian Koloko is an absloute FORCE! 😤
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) June 11, 2023
Whether he was swatting away shots (10 games with 2+ blocks) or throwing down some strong slams, the former @Raptors905 assignee made a serious impact on both ends for the @Raptors. pic.twitter.com/FvHdHTMEG0
Did the Toronto Raptors nail it with Christian Koloko?
Koloko averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game while averaging around 13.8 minutes per game. The shot-blocking translated to the pros, as he had five games with at least three rejections. He ran the floor well, defended on-ball fairly well for a rookie, and showed some improvements as a finisher.
For a 7-1 player, there were times when Koloko struggled to hit the glass hard during his rookie season. The offensive game got better, but it is still very limited. His limitations are so sharp that he likely won’t be a no-doubt rotation player, barring injury, in his second season.
One encouraging part of the Koloko selection is the fact that there haven’t been a ton of players picked after him that have asserted themselves as no-doubt excellent professionals. Jaylin Williams looked good in Oklahoma City, and Jaden Hardy became a solid option for Dallas, but Koloko’s peaks were just as enticing.
Koloko’s rookie year was a mixed bag, but he was exceptional at all the things the organization thought he would be as a rookie. A coach like Darko Rajakovic could be ideal for his development, especially after dominating the G League.
Grade: B