Christian Koloko

BIOGRAPHY

Christian Koloko was born June 20, 2000 in Douala, Cameroon. He is a center in the NBA.

Koloko attended Collège Libermann in his hometown of Cameroon. In 2017, Koloko moved to the United States to play basketball for Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa, California as a junior, despite not speaking English at first. For his senior season, he transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, where he was teammates with Cassius Stanley, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Scotty Pippen Jr. Koloko helped his team claim its second straight Open Division state title. A four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Arizona.

As a freshman at Arizona, Koloko averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. In his sophomore season, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. On November 21, 2021, Koloko posted a career-high 22 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in an 80–62 win over fourth-ranked Michigan at the Roman Main Event title game, earning tournament MVP honors. As a junior, he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Pac-12 Most Improved Player, and first-team All-Pac-12.

On April 18, 2022, Koloko declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. 

On June 23 2022 he was picked by the Toronto Raptors in the 2nd round. 

Koloko became the 32nd player to ever be inducted into the University of Arizona's Ring of Honor in February of 2024.