The Raptors now have a new piece they hope to eventually mould into an NBA player, and he has a connection to their current all-star.
Toronto selected Cameroonian Christian Koloko with the 33rd pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, pairing him with countryman Pascal Siakam.
A year after having the fourth overall pick and turning it into rookie of the year Scottie Barnes, the Raptors have selected a far more long-term prospect in Koloko.
The 22-year-old seven-foot-one power forward was the Pac-12 defensive player of the year last season at Arizona.
The Raptors just missed out on a chance to select a Canadian for the second year in a row after Andrew Nembhard of Aurora went 31st to Indiana and Mississauga’s Caleb Houstan was taken 32nd by Orlando.