Former Raptors center cleared for NBA return after career-threatening illness

Christian Koloko has officially been cleared to return to the NBA.

The former Toronto Raptors center has been cleared medically by the league's Fitness to Play Panel and will begin preparations for a return to the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Koloko hasn't played since April 2023 and missed all of last season with a blood clot problem.

Toronto selected Koloko with the No. 33 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He showed an upside with the Raptors and seemed like he had a chance to develop into an interesting backup for the organization as a 7-foot-1 rim protector with developing shooting skills.

But after a solid rookie season, Koloko's career in Toronto was derailed when he appeared on the injury report in the summer of 2023 with a so-called respiratory illness.

Toronto kept Koloko on the roster for the first part of last season hoping he could overcome the blood clot issue, but a roster crisis following the trade of Pascal Siakam forced the Raptors to part ways with the 24-year-old.

The Raptors remain interested in signing Koloko, Koloko's agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports told Raptors OnSI last summer. Koloko ultimately settled on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was expected to eventually become a big man behind Anthony Davis.

Koloko played in 58 games for Toronto during the 2022-23 season, making 19 starts for a Raptors team that lacked frontcourt depth before the acquisition of Jakob Poeltl. He averaged 3.1 points and 2.9 assists while shooting 48% from the floor.

The Lakers will play in Toronto on November 1st and it is unlikely Koloko will be ready to play by then. It's possible he plays against Toronto when the Raptors visit Los Angeles on Nov. 10, but even that might be too soon for Koloko to get back on the court.