Shams: Former Raptors Center Christian Koloko Has Career-Threatening Blood Clot Issue

Former Toronto Raptors center Christian Koloko has a career-threatening blood clot issue, and he is currently unable to play or practice in the NBA until he is cleared by the league's Fitness-to-Play Panel.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported the news on Thursday.

Charania noted that there hasn't been a "shortage of suitors in teams interested" in Koloko ever since he was waived to make room for incoming Raptors Bruce Brown Jr., Kira Lewis Jr. and Jordan Nwora in the team's recent trade with the Indiana Pacers for Pascal Siakam.

Unfortunately, Koloko has been out indefinitely since October with what has been described as "respiratory issues." Raptors president Masai Ujiri refrained from commenting further on his medical status at a Thursday press conference.

Obviously, this is a very serious situation, with Koloko's health paramount above all. Hopefully the talented ex-Arizona center is able to return to the league someday and fulfill the promise he showed in college.

The Raps selected Koloko with the No. 33 overall pick out of Arizona. He earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Koloko didn't see much playing time in his rookie year but flashed his potential, especially on defense, averaging 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game (58 contests, 19 starts).