The Toronto Raptors went into the 2022 NBA Draft with one glaring need: A legitimate shot-blocking, rim-running big man. By the end of Thursday night, they had just that. The Raptors took University of Arizona standout Christian Koloko with their lone pick in the second round, 33rd overall. Another Cameroonian prospect just like Pascal Siakam, Masai Ujiri actually had the chance to see Koloko in 2017 at the Basketball Without Borders Tournament in South Africa and has been high on the athletic center ever since. Needless to say, he and the front office pulled the trigger.
Here are draft grades for the Raptors' second-round pick.
Watch NBA Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
2022 NBA Draft Grades
Christian Koloko, C, Arizona – 33rd overall
Grade: A-
This was a very solid choice for Toronto, no question about it. Koloko had first-round potential but thankfully fell to the second round and could immediately find minutes at the five. Precious Achiuwa and Khem Birch both spent time playing as a makeshift center last season for the Raptors, but Koloko brings a different dynamic to the position. Aside from being seven feet and extremely long, he's athletic enough to switch off and guard numerous positions, something he did on numerous occasions with Arizona this past season. That's extremely rare to see from a young prospect of this size. Koloko is also an elite defender around the hoop and a legitimate shot-blocker. He averaged 2.8 blocks per game with the Wildcats in 2020-21 (86 on the season) and put up 12.6 points per night along with 7.3 rebounds in his junior year.
Koloko gives the Raptors' stars like Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, and Siakam a true lob threat down low, something they simply haven't had. Toronto's biggest weakness last campaign was their interior scoring and defense. Koloko instantly makes them better on both ends of the floor in that regard. A seven-foot rim protector is going to make a big, big difference for this team.
However, he is still rather new to the game of basketball. Koloko only started playing as a teenager and has raw tools right now. There is no guarantee he's going to step in and win the starting job in training camp, but Koloko is the type of player the Raptors were searching for in this draft. A lot of second-rounders typically don't cut it in the league, too. That being said, he could've easily been off the board within the first 30 picks.
Koloko's skillset will definitely benefit the Raptors but he does need to develop his three-pointer. The Cameroonian didn't attempt one in three seasons at Arizona and in today's NBA, it's integral that bigs can roam out to the perimeter and shoot a triple. Knowing how Nick Nurse operates, there's a good chance Koloko starts in the G-League and first earns the head coach's trust. Toronto doesn't mind using Achiuwa as a small-ball five and Birch as his backup when he gets healthy. If Koloko can make his presence felt in the Summer League and in training camp though, a spot on the NBA roster in October is by no means a longshot.
Christian Koloko is not a finished product. Nevertheless, the Raptors could have their big man of the future if all goes well. The potential he has is certainly a reason for Toronto fans to be very excited.
Follow Us
Subscribe