Ranking the top 5 second-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft

NEW YORK, NY, USA - JUNE 23: (L-R) Blake Wesley, Walker Kessler, Jaden Hardy, Tari Eason, Jalen Williams, Jalen Duren, AJ Griffen, Dyson Daniels, Johnny Davis, Jabari Smith, Bennedict Mathurin, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivy, Paulo Banchero, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, TyTy Washington, Keegan Murray, Ochai Agbaji, Ousmane Dieng, Malaki Branham, Mark Williams, Marjon Beauchamp, Nikola Jovic pose for a group onstage during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MARCH 24: Christian Koloko #35 of the Arizona Wildcats blocks a shot by Reggie Chaney #32 of the Houston Cougars during the second half in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Round at AT&T Center on March 24, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Ranking the top 5 second-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft: Christan Koloko, Toronto Raptors

Is there a better fit between draftee and franchise than Christian Koloko and the Toronto Raptors? Didn’t think so.

For starters, it’s worth noting that Masai Ujiri’s efforts in Africa are feeding straight into the franchise at this point. Koloko is from the same city in Cameroon as Pascal Siakam. Toronto is the only international franchise in the NBA and they seem to have the best international scouting department in the league as well.

Koloko is a humongous shot-blocking center, standing nearly 6’11 with a wingspan of 7’ 5.25”. Last year, he averaged 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The big man really makes his bones, however, on the defensive end. Last year, the Arizona Wildcats big man averaged a staggering 2.8 blocks per game. He had the ability to create momentum swings based on his blocking prowess alone.

The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is not stuck in the interior, mind you. He has strong instincts and quick feet, providing an ability to switch on the defensive end. On offense, he’s an easy lob target.

Koloko is not a shooter. He also doesn’t necessarily have the physicality to fight on the inside against some of the bigs he’s likely to see in the division, such as Joel Embiid.

But his versatility fits perfectly in the Raptors’ system. Depending on whether or not Chris Boucher returns, Koloko could make an immediate impact at center.