When the Los Angeles Lakers signed big man Christian Koloko, they knew they would have to wait for him.
Fortunately for the team, they just got some very good news about the seven-foot center.
Shams Charania is reporting that Koloko has been medically cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel and can begin practicing with the team this week and ramp up for play for the first time since April of 2023.
That means the Lakers are about to get some frontcourt support after a promising start to the season.
Lakers 7-footer Christian Koloko has been medically cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, sources tell ESPN.
Koloko will begin practicing with the Lakers this week and ramp up to play for first time since April 2023 and a blood clot issue that threatened his career. pic.twitter.com/dS7QrlrptC
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 29, 2024
Koloko hasn’t played in the NBA since 2023 because of a blood clot issue.
For a time, it seemed like he would never play in the league again but the doctors have given him an all-clear and he is approaching his big return.
Koloko didn’t spend much time in the NBA before his exit, playing for the Toronto Raptors after being drafted in 2022.
He was in 58 games as a rookie and averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 block per game and shot 48% from the field.
The Lakers never envisioned Koloko as a starter but plan to give him some time during games and allow other big men, such as Anthony Davis, to rest.
Los Angeles signed Koloko to a two-way deal this summer with the full knowledge that he’d have to be cleared by the league’s fitness-to-play panel.
That panel consists of a league-appointed doctor, a players union-appointed doctor, and a third medical professional.
They all tested Koloko and found him ready to start playing again, which has given him the last green light needed before suiting up.
How much impact will Koloko have on the Lakers and how often will he play?
It’s not clear yet but he’s medically ready to finally join the team.
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