“She convinced me to accept that he can go to school and play basketball (at a high level) at the same time.” It took a strong case from his daughter Stephanie, but Jean-Paul Koloko finally agreed to let his only son Christian Koloko join Sierra Canyon to pursue his basketball dream. This was six years ago and possibly a pivotal moment in the Center’s journey to the NBA. And its moments like these and the support from his family that have finally helped Christian bag a two-way contract with the Lakers.

Well, the Lakers desperately needed a big man. And they finally got one! Sure, it’s not a big-name superstar like most fans hoped, but Christian Koloko could become a solid piece in the team’s title pursuit if used correctly. With Rob Pelinka signing the seven-footer, the former Raptors Center has instantly become the talk of the town. Surely, many of you would also be curious to know more about his personal life and hoop journey.

First things first, it looks like Christian is not dating anyone right now or at least there is no public knowledge of it, as he’s stayed away from any dating rumors. With the girlfriend question out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the Cameroonian’s life.

Christian Koloko: From moving in with his sister to becoming the Pac-12 DPOY

In a family full of women, Christian was the first and youngest son to be born on June 20, 2000, to parents Jean-Paul Koloko and Henriette. With his four older sisters, Manuella, Stephanie, Claude, and Kelly, his 2nd eldest sister Stephanie, became the most influential figure in his hoop journey. As Christian’s initial years were spent in Douala, Cameroon, he grew up playing soccer and only turned to basketball at the age of 15.

Hoping to pursue a career in the sport, he moved to the USA when he was 17 on one condition put forth by his mother. “If I gotta leave, I gotta go live with my sister. She didn’t want me to go live with a foster family. She didn’t want me to stay with people I didn’t know. I was really fortunate to have my sister here.”

With Stephanie already settled in LA pursuing a career in finance, it was a smooth transition for Christian in the new country. Despite his lack of fluency in English, he joined Birmingham Community Charter High School as a junior and became a part of their basketball team. Sure enough, his talent quickly took over, and he transferred to Sierra Canyon in his senior year where he teamed up with future NBA stars, including Scotty Pippen Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr. He won a state championship and passed out as a three-star recruit.

Following his dominance in High School, Christian received offers from multiple colleges but chose to join the Arizona Wildcats, where he would spend the next three years. In his freshman year, he was limited to the bench role and averaged only 2.3 points. But he quickly got promoted to the starting lineup in his sophomore season. And he took a massive leap in his junior year, averaging an impressive 12.6 points and over 7 rebounds while starting in all 37 games.

But what put him on the map was his defensive prowess as he tied Arizona’s single-season blocked shots record with 102 and became the first player in Pac-12 history to win the DPOY and MIP trophy in the same season. He was also inducted into the McKale Center Ring of Honor earlier this year. Sure enough, NBA came calling!

Christian Koloko: NBA journey to the Lakers and career earnings

Boasting an impressive college resume, Christian entered his name in the draft two years ago and was picked by the Raptors with their 33rd pick. And he showed immense promise in his rookie season, averaging a smidgen above 3 points, mostly coming off the bench. Again, his defense was the separating factor as he got one block per game. However, only a year into his pro career, he was struck by a tragedy.

Instead of elevating his game to the next level, he was forced to take a year off from hooping because of a respiratory illness and blood clots. As a result, he got waived by the team earlier this year and was assigned to the league’s Fitness-To-Play panel to determine if he could continue playing. As of now, Christian’s career earnings are a little over $3.2 million from the initial contract he signed with the Raptors. But that number could increase significantly if he proves his worth in LA.

Yes, the two-way deal with the Lakers gives Koloko another opportunity for a fresh start. However, he needs to be cleared by the Fitness-To-Play panel first before he can return to the court. In case that process goes smoothly, the 24-year-old could be a solid developmental player in JJ Redick’s new system.

Although he is unlikely to be a starter right away, the Lakers could use him off the bench, which would take the defensive pressure off AD. With his 7’1 frame, he could be a solid rim protector and be on the receiving end of multiple lobs from LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Moreover, the Lakers have assessed the big man’s medical condition and are optimistic about his return to action. So, we might see him wearing Purple and Gold very soon. Do you think Koloko can help the Lakers’ title aspirations this upcoming season?