Christian Koloko’s journey to the Los Angeles Lakers has been met with challenges, but his early contributions are earning respect from teammates like Anthony Davis.
Following the Lakers’ 104-99 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis commended Koloko’s professionalism and quick adaptation to the team.
Koloko, who signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles in September, has played in five games this season. In just under 10 minutes, he has averaged 2.8 points and 2 rebounds per game.
Davis highlighted Koloko’s ability to learn the team’s system despite limited practice opportunities. “He’s been great with not much practice time. He’s come in, learned the plays, [a] true professional,” Davis said after the team secured its fifth consecutive win.
Koloko’s NBA journey began when he was selected 33rd overall in the 2022 draft by the Toronto Raptors. He signed a rookie-scale contract with the Raptors but was waived in January 2024 due to health concerns related to blood clots.
The blood clot diagnosis required Koloko to go through the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, delaying his ability to join another team.
After being medically cleared, Koloko found a new opportunity with the Lakers, and his perseverance is now paying off.
While his role with the Lakers remains limited, Koloko’s defensive presence and ability to execute plays have been evident during his minutes on the floor.
