Lakers' Koloko receives medical clearance from NBA

Big man Christian Kolokowho has a two-way contract with the LakersAccording to ESPN's Shams Charania (Twitter link), he has received medical clearance from the NBA's Fitness to Play panel, allowing him to continue his career.

Koloko missed the entire 2023-24 season due to a career-threatening blood clot problem. His agent, Calvin Andrewssaid over the summer that the former Raptor had undergone corrective surgery to correct the problem.

After being cleared to practice and play again, Koloko found himself with the Lakers and signed a two-way contract with the club last month. However, he still needed formal approval from the league, whose Fitness to Play Panel (made up of three doctors) has the final say on career-threatening health issues.

Now that he has received the green light from the league, Koloko will begin training with the Lakers this week and prepare for game action, Charania says.

I expect the 7’1″ center will spend some time in the G League before making his Lakers debut at the NBA level, but we’ll have to wait and see what LA’s plan is. The South Bay Lakers' season doesn't begin until November 9th and the NBA's Lakers are lacking some depth at the top Christian Wood is recovering from knee surgery.

Koloko, the 33rd overall pick in the 2022 draft, played in 58 games (19 starts) for the Raptors as a rookie and averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 13.8 minutes per contest. He was the Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player in his final college season at Arizona in 2021-22