Toronto Raptors take Arizona C Christian Koloko 33rd in NBA Draft
Jun 23, 2022, 8:19 PM | Updated: 8:22 pm
Christian Koloko gave the Arizona Wildcats three picks in the first 33 selections of the 2022 NBA Draft, as the Toronto Raptors plucked him off the board Thursday.
With Toronto, Koloko fits an athletic, long roster and brings an NBA-ready skill with his shot-blocking.
The Raptors have a forward-heavy roster that includes All-Star Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, O.G. Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
He was an interior force this past season for the Wildcats, averaging 12.6 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds on 64% shooting from the field.
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The 7-foot-1 big out of Cameroon led the Wildcats in blocks (2.8) in 2021-22, which also ranked 14th in the NCAA.
Koloko was named First Team All-Pac-12 as well as being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
He improved mightily from the 2020-21 season as he was also selected as the Pac-12 Most Improved Player for 2022.
The junior big man had a breakout two-way performance in the Wildcats’ overtime game against TCU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Koloko dominated with 28 points on 12-of-13 shooting, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
He has all the intangibles to be an elite big in the NBA with his size and offensive and defensive skillset.
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