Christian Koloko may not look like the Raptors, but it does fit

At first glance, Christian Koloko doesn't look right is. Mold from the Toronto Raptors.

At 7ft-1, the Raptors' 33rd overall selection (the only selection the Raptors had) in the NBA Draft on Thursday was 6ft-7 to 6-. It's far north of. The range of feet 9 where most of the roster stands.

But everything about him, from his origins to his priorities in the game, is in line with everything the Raptors have been doing lately.

Raptors like versatility.

Koroko is a defense-first man, an attribute that Nick Nurse's head coach demands from most, if not all, players. Rap also likes versatility, and even at his size, Koroko can switch to the smallest player on the court and maintain a blanket-like defense Nurse and his staff preach.

And because his career is so creepy with Pascal Siakam, it's almost impossible to imagine a scenario where he's not immediately comfortable in a new environment.

Masai Ujiri and his scouting staff date back to 2017 when they first met him in a basketball borderless training in Johannesburg, South Africa, and are already powerful for that. We are building a solid foundation. ..

The NBA was drafted once in a lifetime, but it became even more special when it was drafted into the league by a man who had done a lot on the African continent. ..

"It means a lot because what he's trying to do for basketball in Africa is huge," Koroko said. "He recognizes the potential of African basketball and believes in African players. I think what he's doing is really great.

" As you know, he drafted Just being done makes more sense to me. That means he believes in me. He sees the potential in me and I do everything to give it back to him.

Koroko was in Los Angeles with his big family when he got a call from Ujiri. ..

In the midst of that, there was a call from Siakam, who is currently working at the Raptors OVO facility with OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes in Toronto.

The relationship is really just beginning.

"Honestly, I don't know him that much," Koroko admitted. "We talked a few times, but we're not necessarily such friends. We talked last night after being drafted. He's excited about me coming to Toronto. I think it helps me a lot.

"It helps to have someone in the same city as me. He may not have been on the same journey as me, but he is the same as me. I was on a path like that, "Koroko said. "I think it really helps me just to help me through the process of newcomers."

Siakam's road is Koroko to where it started. It's very similar to the road. Both turned late to basketball from the Cameroon football field, the region's first sports enthusiast.

"When I first went to the basketball court, I just fell in love with it," Koroko said, crazy about sports. "I used to play soccer for the rest of my life until I was 17, and soccer is the biggest sport in my hometown, and basketball isn't that big, so when I first went to the basketball court, I said," Yes, this sport is I really like it. "But just coming from Cameroon, people don't really care about basketball.

"I was still playing soccer, but on the other hand, I also played basketball once a week or once every two weeks. I just got taller and it was like basketball. I was going to stick to it. I feel like I can do pretty well in this sport. I accepted the challenge and started working on the game and I'm here today. "

Koroko followed her sister to the United States and landed in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, his first high school happened to be the Sierra Canyon. His arrival at school coincided with the arrival of Scotty Pippen Jr.

At that coincidence, Scottie Pippen Sr. joined Koroko's circle, and the relationship has continued from high school to draft preparation. Period and until today.

Pippen Sr. was there with advice while both his son and Koroko were preparing for Thursday's draft night.

He wasn't selected in the Pippen Jr. Draft, but signed a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers early Friday morning.

"He gave me a lot of inspiration," Koroko said. "His legend is playing for the Chicago Bulls and one of the greatest players of all time. Every time I met Scotty, he advised me. During this draft process, he was every day. Staying with us, seeing us work, gave us some advice and a few tips. ”

Koroko became the Las Vegas Raptors in the Summer League. I plan to participate. Visa issues prevent him from coming to Toronto until he officially signs his contract, but as his words on Friday show, he already feels part of this Raptors family. I am.

Quick Hit

Following the draft, the Raptors have reached an agreement with Rutgers' outstanding Forward Ron Harper Jr. on a two-way contract. GM Bobby Webster described it as one of the "coolest stories of the night." Wayne Embry, Senior Basketball Advisor to the Raptors, drafted Ron Harper Senior in 1986 when he was General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to a report by @RookieScale, Webster calls it the perfect moment ... Boise State University's Abu Kigab joins the NBA Summer League Raptors.